The US companies Sierra Nevada Corporation and Aerovironment announced their collaboration on the Pentagon’s “Golden Dome” project at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville (Alabama). The aim is to develop a multi-layered defense system against small drones and cruise missiles – in particular to protect critical infrastructure, air bases, ships and other high-value targets.
The joint concept is to be expanded in future with new sensors and interception systems – including from space. The planned technologies include passive and active sensors, high-energy lasers, electronic warfare and cyber defense.
Aerovironment CEO Wahid Nawabi promises an “affordable and effective solution” for local airspace defense, while Sierra Nevada CEO Fatih Ozmen describes the project as a “next-generation shield” – “comparable to the innovative power of the Manhattan Project”.
The background to this is the plan initiated by former President Donald Trump to build a comprehensive air and missile defense system over the US mainland. According to Trump, the project (“Golden Dome”), which was initiated with 25 billion dollars (21.4 billion euros), is expected to cost up to 175 billion dollars (150 billion euros) in the long term. However, the total expenditure is likely to be significantly higher.
