Lockheed, Boeing tout possible roles in Trump’s $175B ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and Boeing (NYSE:BA) signaled Monday they are positioning themselves to play leading roles in the development of the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, the sprawling new U.S. program backed by President Donald Trump, Reuters reported Monday.

The proposed system, estimated to cost as much as $175 billion, aims to deploy a vast constellation of satellites to identify and neutralize incoming missile threats.

First unveiled by Trump in January, Golden Dome envisions the integration of advanced technologies, including space-based interceptors and directed-energy weapons. However, many initial phases are expected to rely heavily on preexisting defense systems, giving major contractors such as Lockheed (NYSE:LMT), Boeing (NYSE:BA), RTX (NYSE:RTX) and L3Harris (NYSE:LHX) an early edge in the competition for contracts.

Tim Cahill, head of missiles and fire control at Lockheed Martin (LMT), said the company has several product lines that align directly with the mission’s goals. During remarks at the Paris Air Show, said Lockheed’s ability to ramp up production and implement system upgrades will be a key differentiator.

Lockheed’s offerings that could be incorporated into the system include the PAC-3 air defense missile, the THAAD interceptor and the C2BMC command-and-control system already used for missile detection and coordination.

At a separate press event during the Paris show, Boeing’s (BA) acting head of space and defense, Steve Parker, confirmed the company has been deeply involved in Golden Dome preparations, though he declined to share specifics. Boeing (BA) has worked on compact laser weapons and produces parts for the PAC-3 missile, including its guidance seeker.

SpaceX (SPACE), known for its dominance in satellite launches, is also considered a strong contender for involvement, although recent tensions between Chief Executive Elon Musk and Trump have reportedly prompted a reexamination of SpaceX’s government contracts, Reuters reported.

Other firms likely to benefit from the initiative include Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR), known for its artificial intelligence and data analytics software, and Anduril, a defense startup specializing in autonomous systems and drones.

Stephanie Hill, president of Lockheed’s (LMT) rotary and mission systems division, said the company has been in ongoing talks with potential partners regarding Golden Dome, though she didn’t identify them by name. She acknowledged the potential value of contributions from commercial tech firms like SpaceX (SPACE), Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) and Anduril, Reuters reported.

Funding for the project remains uncertain. Congressional Republicans have floated an initial $25 billion allocation as part of a larger $150 billion defense spending proposal, but the measure is tied to a broader reconciliation package that faces stiff opposition in Congress.