Space-Based Interceptor Prototype Contract Awarded Under Golden Dome Initiative
Booz Allen Hamilton Tapped by Space Force to Build Missile Defense Prototype
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Booz Allen Hamilton an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement to develop a prototype system for the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program, a centerpiece of the Golden Dome for America missile defense initiative intended to shield the U.S. homeland from advanced ballistic and hypersonic threats.
“Booz Allen is uniquely positioned to field emerging capabilities that drive the critical mission of Golden Dome for America.”
Angela Wallace, Booz Allen Hamilton
The contract, awarded through Space Systems Command, directs Booz Allen to develop and deliver a prototype architecture designed for space-based missile defense. The SBI program envisions a proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of interceptors capable of engaging ballistic missiles during their boost, midcourse, and glide phases of flight — covering all three major windows in which a missile can be neutralized before reaching its target.
“Booz Allen is uniquely positioned to field emerging capabilities that drive the critical mission of Golden Dome for America,” said Angela Wallace, executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton. “Over the last decade, we have invested in space-based missile defense to deliver advanced technology to the mission at speed. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Department of War to advance the future of homeland defense.”
The Golden Dome for America initiative, a signature priority of the Trump administration, is intended to address what senior defense officials describe as a generational shift in the global strategic environment, in which adversaries now possess missiles capable of threatening the continental United States. Space-based interceptors represent a significant architectural departure from the existing Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, which relies on a limited number of ground-launched interceptors at fixed sites. A proliferated LEO constellation would provide persistent global coverage and the ability to engage threats much earlier in flight — before warheads can deploy decoys or maneuver.
Booz Allen’s proposal integrates the company’s command and control expertise, long-standing missile defense work, and artificial intelligence capabilities into the prototype design. “Booz Allen’s decades of command and control and missile defense experience paired with our advanced software and AI solutions deliver a modern approach to the SBI mission with a performance-first mindset,” said Katie Carr, engineering director in Booz Allen’s national security business.
The OTA agreement vehicle — frequently used by the Department of Defense for rapid prototyping of cutting-edge systems — allows for more flexible contracting arrangements than traditional procurement, operating outside standard Federal Acquisition Regulation requirements to enable faster development timelines. OTA agreements have become an increasingly common tool for space and missile defense programs where speed of fielding is a strategic priority.
Space Systems Command, based at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, serves as the Space Force’s primary acquisition organization and has been the lead command managing SBI program development activities. The award reflects a broader push within the Pentagon to accelerate space-based defense capabilities as potential adversaries develop longer-range, more maneuverable missile systems.
Deploying interceptors in LEO would fundamentally change the geometry of missile defense, dramatically reducing the time-distance problem that constrains ground-based systems and potentially enabling intercepts over adversary territory during the vulnerable boost phase. Booz Allen Hamilton has supported space programs for defense, intelligence, and civil agencies for more than six decades and describes itself as the federal government’s leading provider of artificial intelligence services. The McLean, Virginia-based company employs approximately 31,600 people worldwide and reported revenue of $12.0 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, 2025.