• The milestone: All 12 space-based interceptor contenders passed Gate 1 of the Space Force's four-gate, prize-based Golden Dome competition, Gen. Michael Guetlein told the Army Space and Missile Defense conference, with providers now progressing into Gate 2 (building space-capable hardware).

  • The process: The four gates run design and component testing, then building space-ready capability, proving it works in orbit, and finally proving it fits the broader Golden Dome architecture; only after all four will the Pentagon decide on affordability and scalability before committing to production.

  • The scale: The Defense Department has committed $3.2bn across 20 contracts to 12 firms developing three interceptor types — boost-phase, exo-atmospheric, and mid-course — with first flight tests expected next year, continuing into 2028, and actual intercept demonstrations not slated until June 2029.