Northrop Grumman plans to demonstrate a space-based interceptor for Golden Dome in 2027. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman today announced a partnership with commercial firm Apex Space to demonstrate space-based interceptors (SBIs) for the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative in 2027.
“We have already completed key ground tests this year and are uniquely positioned with Apex to rapidly accelerate and scale affordable production to defend the homeland,” Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager for Northrop’s space superiority systems division, said in news release.
The company is self-funding the planned demonstration under the Space Force’s novel prize competition first reported by Breaking Defense last September. The service in April announced that it had granted 20 contracts — collectively totaling a potential $3.2 billion — to 12 firms for the SBI program.
According to Northrop, its demonstration is “building on the $1 billion company-led investment in missile-defense technology,” and “[w]ith successful ground-test demonstrations completed this year, the company is on track to deliver on-orbit capability in 2027.”
