Latest news with #SpaceSystemsCommand
Business Insider
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Lockheed Martin awarded $509.76M Air Force contract modification
Lockheed Martin (LMT) has been awarded a $509.76M modification to a previously awarded contract for Global Positioning System III Follow-On Space Vehicles 21 and 22. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $4.1B. Work will be performed at Littleton, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by November 2031. Fiscal 2025 missile procurement funds in the amount of $55.04M are being obligated at time of award. The Space Systems Command is the contracting activity. Confident Investing Starts Here:
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meet the General leading the US's most expensive defense project yet — the $1 trillion Trump ‘Golden Dome'
President Trump has revealed the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, a $175 billion project to establish America's first space-based defense shield. General Michael Guetlein, a space operations veteran, will lead the project, integrating space and ground technologies to intercept missile threats at all stages. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads General Michael Guetlein: Architect of America's Space Shield What Is the 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense System? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What Will the Golden Dome Cost? US President Donald Trump has unveiled fresh details about the ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative — a $175 billion project aimed at placing America's first space-based defense shield into orbit. This groundbreaking system will integrate ground and space technologies to intercept missile threats at every stage of flight, marking a historic leap in U.S. military defense the helm of this project is General Michael Guetlein, a veteran leader in space operations, personally appointed by Trump to oversee its development. General Michael Anthony Guetlein brings more than 30 years of expertise in space and missile defense to the Golden Dome initiative. He currently serves as the Vice Chief of Space Operations in the U.S. Space Force. Previously, he commanded Space Systems Command (2021–2024) and served as Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (2019–2021).Born in Oklahoma on November 22, 1967, Guetlein joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1991. His decorated military career includes top honors such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and two Legion of Merit awards — highlighting his leadership in advancing U.S. military and space Golden Dome will combine space-based interceptors and satellite sensors with existing ground-based missile defense systems. The goal: to detect and neutralize threats before launch or intercept them mid-air, providing a multi-layered shield against airborne and space-launched the project President Trump earlier said, 'This is not just a defense shield, but a powerful deterrent to any aggressor contemplating an attack on the United States — even from space.'President Trump emphasized that Golden Dome represents the future of national security — a game-changer in missile defense. Unlike traditional systems focused on ground-level interception, this next-gen initiative will offer comprehensive protection through an integrated network of space and terrestrial defense Guetlein echoed the urgency, calling it a 'bold and aggressive strategy' to strengthen homeland defense in the face of rapidly evolving missile and space initial research and development phase is expected to cost between $25 billion and $35 billion. However, full-scale deployment over the next two decades could bring total costs close to $1 trillion, making it one of the most expensive defense projects in U.S. history. Yet, military experts argue that it is a vital investment to protect the nation against emerging threats from both rival states and rogue actors.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is General Michael Guetlein? US Space Force leader appointed by Donald Trump to head the ‘Golden Dome' space missile defense system
Source: New York Post President Donald Trump released new information on Tuesday regarding the United States' ambitious missile defense program called the Golden Dome. At an estimated price of $175 billion, this advanced system of defense has the potential to transform the national security of the US through the combination of ground-based and space-based technologies. The project will be the first of its type, with America planning to put a defensive weapon in space to counter attacks by the air that would endanger the security of the nation. Although in its initial stages of creation, the Golden Dome project is a huge step ahead in defense capabilities in the US. Under the leadership of General Michael Guetlein , the project seeks to develop an unbeatable defense system that combines space and missile defense technologies to protect the homeland. As the project advances, the Golden Dome will be a symbol of strength for the country's military strategy, positioning America to confront the needs of an evolving world. General Michael Guetlein selected to lead the Golden Dome System General Michael Anthony Guetlein is a military veteran of over two decades of space operations and missile defense experience. As the current vice chief of space operations for the US Space Force , General Guetlein is no stranger to leadership roles. His past assignments have seen him command Space Systems Command from 2021 to 2024 and serve as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office from 2019 to 2021. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Born on the 22nd of November, 1967, in Oklahoma, General Guetlein has had an illustrious US military career. In 1991, after graduating from Oklahoma State University, General Guetlein joined the United States Air Force. Throughout his service, General Guetlein has received many awards of distinction, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and two Legion of Merit awards. These awards speak to his outstanding leadership and his significant contributions to the development of US space and military operations. spca What is Golden Dome missile defence system The Golden Dome system will feature both ground- and space-based components. These include satellite sensors and interceptors, which will work in tandem with existing terrestrial missile defense systems. This combination allows the system to detect and neutralise threats at multiple stages of flight, from pre-launch to mid-air interception. The system's ability to target missiles before they take off or intercept them mid-flight offers an unprecedented layer of security. President Trump: "This is not only a defense shield, but a deterrent to any aggressor contemplating attacking the United States with missile strikes, including from outer space." During his speech, General Guetlein showed firm backing for the Golden Dome project, referring to it as a "bold and aggressive approach" that is meant to quickly improve the defense of the homeland. He referred to the urgency of the project as, "The 'Golden Dome' is a bold and aggressive strategy to quickly defend the homeland against our enemies." His statement captures the strategic significance of the project aimed at keeping the US ahead of fast-evolving missile and space technologies. Golden Dome System: Estimated costs Early research and development on the Golden Dome will cost between $25 billion and $35 billion. Yet long-term costs may amount to as much as $831 billion, with the overall cost of the project possibly nearing $1 trillion within two decades. Though expensive, the Golden Dome is regarded as an indispensable investment in the future of US defense, keeping the nation adequately safeguarded against upcoming threats from both state and non-state actors. US President Donald Trump vision behind the 'Golden Dome' President Trump highlighted the Golden Dome's strategic value to national defense in his announcement. The system is intended to safeguard the United States from maturing and more sophisticated missile threats. Differing from conventional ground systems, the Golden Dome combines space-based interceptors and sensors in offering a complete, multi-layered defense against a range of airborne attacks. Also Read | NASA alert! A massive asteroid racing towards Earth at 14 kilometres per second on May 24; should we be concerned
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump estimates Golden Dome will cost $175B over three years
In an Oval Office reveal Tuesday, flanked by U.S. military generals and Republican senators, President Donald Trump offered new details about his ambitious Golden Dome missile shield project, which he expects to have a price tag of around $175 billion and be completed before the end of his term. 'I'm pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors,' Trump said. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they're launched from space. And we will have the best system ever built.' Trump also announced he has appointed Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Space Force's second in command, to oversee the effort, which has become one of the president's signature defense projects just months into his second term. Guetlein, currently vice chief of space operations, previously led the Space Force's primary acquisition organization, Space Systems Command. There, he oversaw major development efforts and helped streamline the space enterprise's notoriously fragmented acquisition system. Earlier in his career, he served as deputy commander of the National Reconnaissance Office and program executive officer for programs and integration at the Missile Defense Agency — two of the organizations that will play a significant role in building out the Golden Dome architecture. 'I greatly appreciate your trust in me … and your trust in the team to deliver this,' Guetlein told Trump. 'It is a great day for America.' Iron Dome for America gets a golden makeover Trump first announced plans to develop an advanced, layered homeland missile shield in the early days of his second presidency, issuing an executive order that called for a 60-day study of architecture options. The capability is expected to include a mix of ground and space-based interceptors designed to defeat a spectrum of threats — from lower-end weapons to advanced hypersonic and cruise missiles. While the current homeland missile defense system focuses on threats from rogue nations like North Korea and Iran rather than from peer adversaries like China or Russia, Trump's homeland missile defense shield would focus on addressing threats from peer adversaries, as well as those rogue threats. Beyond his cost and schedule projections — and an assertion that Canada had signed on to be part of Golden Dome — Trump was light on details about the architecture and approach to fielding what many analysts and officials have called a bold and challenging endeavor. He alluded to fielding space-based and hypersonic interceptors but offered little more about the scope of the project. Trump's promise Tuesday to deliver the layered, integrated system in around 'two-and-a-half to three years' would require the Defense Department to field the more advanced elements of the architecture years ahead of schedule. For example, the space-based missile interceptors that he said will be part of the effort have not yet been developed. Meanwhile, hypersonic interceptors are not expected to be developed and delivered until the mid-2030s. While the more advanced elements of Golden Dome will take time to deliver, several pieces of the architecture are already in various stages of development. That includes a space-based missile defense and tracking layer comprised of satellites and sensors that can identify and monitor high-end missile threats, which MDA and the Space Force are currently developing and fielding. Those capabilities are part of the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and could potentially be scaled to support Golden Dome. Republicans in Congress have largely been supportive of Golden Dome. In February, Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. — both of whom were in the Oval Office for Tuesday's announcement — introduced a bill that proposes $19.5 billion for Golden Dome in fiscal 2026. Their bill, the Golden Dome Act, proposes the addition of Aegis Ashore Systems for the continental U.S. — which took years to install in Romania and Poland — and the use of blimps for detecting complex threats. The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, or GMD, at Fort Greely, Alaska, would be expanded and upgraded with next-generation interceptors along with a brand-new interceptor site on the East Coast. Meanwhile, the House GOP included $25 billion for the project in its budget reconciliation package for fiscal 2025 — a number that Trump referenced and validated in his remarks Tuesday. Asked how confident he is that Congress will fully fund Golden Dome given the administration's $175 billion cost projection, Trump called the process 'easy.' 'It's amazing how easy this one is to fund,' he said. 'Some funding is tough and some is easy. When we say we're going to save everyone's lives in a crazy world, it seems to be very easy to get.' Trump noted that Golden Dome systems will be made in the U.S., but didn't confirm whether contracts had been awarded. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., highlighted the work that L3Harris, which is based in his home state, is doing to build out the current space-based sensor architecture. Sullivan also referenced Lockheed and RTX, who are developing ground-based missile interceptors, while noting that the project will also likely involve more nontraditional defense contractors. 'It's all across the board in terms of companies. Sen. Cramer and I just met with a bunch of them last week that are interested in this,' he said. 'Our technology sector is head and shoulders above any other place in the world, and they're going to be a key part of this.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amid demand for satellite support, Space Force leans on commercial
The Space Force this week announced a new Joint Antenna Marketplace aimed at helping it leverage commercial capacity and relieve the strain on its Satellite Control Network. Space Systems Command said Monday it awarded contracts to two firms — Auria, formerly Boecore, and Sphinx Defense — to establish the cloud-based marketplace prototype, dubbed JAM, which will connect satellite operations centers with government and commercial antennas. The service said Monday it's using the Pentagon's software acquisition pathway to create the marketplace, a tailored procurement method meant to help programs buy software more quickly. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently mandated that all military software be developed and purchased through the pathway. 'The program is currently in the planning phase of the Software Acquisition Pathway and is accelerating commercial capability delivery via prototype development,' SSC said in a statement. JAM will expand the Space Force's existing globally dispersed Satellite Control Network, or SCN, which provides critical launch support, satellite tracking and control, and emergency assistance for spacecraft. The Defense Department and other federal agencies rely on the network for operations support, and demand for the capability has grown significantly in recent years. For the last decade, utilization rates have surpassed the industry standard, according to a 2023 Government Accountability Office report. Space Force officials have said the current SCN architecture on its own may not meet the military's capacity needs during a conflict. The antennas in line to augment and eventually replace SCN's aging infrastructure through a program called Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource, or SCAR, are expected to increase satellite communications capacity by ten-fold for spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit, the Space Force estimates. The new phased-array antennas are being built by BlueHalo. The systems, dubbed Badger, provide multi-beam, multi-orbit mission operations and are designed to make it easier to track and manage satellites. They can also be easily transported around the world. The Space Force awarded the company $1.4 billion in 2022 to deliver 12 units by the early 2030s. However, under its current schedule, the first units won't deliver until the end of this year – a timeline that the service's acting acquisition executive says is not fast enough. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy told lawmakers Thursday that while SCAR is making progress, the program is moving 'too slow for my taste and too slow for the need.' Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, he said that along with helping the Space Force better leverage commercial systems, JAM provides a 'backup plan' for SCAR that provides the extra support in the near term. JAM builds on experimentation the service has conducted with the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office to integrate commercial capabilities through a cloud-based SCN. The marketplace 'is going after full-up commercial,' Purdy said, and will open up significant new capacity.
