Golden Dome: Defending through Innovation and Integration

A Mission of Unparalleled Complexity

Golden Dome is a bold initiative to build the next-generation missile defense architecture for the United States—an adaptable, resilient shield against hypersonic, ballistic, cruise missiles and advanced threats. Envisioned under a national policy that prioritizes the security of the homeland, this mission unites the efforts of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Space Force, and other organizations in the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community in pursuit of a multi-domain, multi-layered solution.

This initiative demands close coordination among multiple agencies and technologies, including:

  • Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS)
  • Space-Based Interceptors (SBI)
  • Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)

These efforts represent the front lines of our national defense strategy—one that Amentum is uniquely positioned to support and advance.

Amentum: Mission-Proven, Adaptable Ground Layer for Golden Dome

At the heart of any space-based missile defense system is a robust, secure, and scalable ground segment. Amentum has delivered just that—a modular, multi-mission enterprise ground architecture called the Common Ground – Space Enterprise Architecture (CG-SEA).

CG-SEA is a proven capability that supports the three space Lines of Effort (LoEs) under Golden Dome—HBTSS, SBI, and PWSA—and currently supports mission operations for MDA’s HBTSS and Space Based Kill Assessment (SKA) program. Amentum’s architecture is mission-proven, adaptable, and ready to support future space programs at speed and scale.

CG-SEA: A Proven, Scalable Solution

CG-SEA is designed as a modular, technology-agnostic system built from three core elements:

  1. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): High-performance computing, storage, networking, and software pipeline services.  PaaS hosts the Ground System Mission Suites and can also support other applications like command and control, battle management, and AI/ML.
  2. Ground System Mission Suites: Providing tracking, telemetry, command (TT&C); mission monitoring; alerting; and mission-unique software.  Proven to provide enterprise services for separate satellite manufacturers.
  3. Multi-Mission Operations Centers: 24/7 support with integrated infrastructure and scalable systems tailored to mission requirements.  Proven to provide integration and testing, launch, RDT&E, and operations for multiple space systems simultaneously.

Through this architecture, Amentum has delivered a cost-effective, multi-threat, multi-contractor, multi-mission ground layer that integrates seamlessly with other mission protection systems and services.

Why Amentum?

Rocket shooting upward over a satellite image of Earth

Proven Integration and Delivery at Scale

Amentum has decades of experience leading complex integration efforts across the defense and space domains. Across multiple contracts, we support:

  • MDA enterprise architecture design
  • Critical national missions
  • Defense and other government agencies
  • Cross-agency coordination and technology deployment
  • Operating and maintaining the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (ITW/AA)
  • Real-time decisions to respond and defend against hypersonic and hyper-glide threats

We are prepared to extend this expertise to the Golden Dome program, serving as a critical lead integrator—coordinating across government agencies and industry partners.

A Record of Mission-Ready Innovation

Our capabilities span advanced software integration, cyber-hardened infrastructure, and high-assurance AI/ML for mission-critical decisions. Our CG-SEA architecture offers:

  • Ground segment ownership independent of satellite providers
  • Integration of multi-contractor systems
  • Cloud-native, hybrid, or physical deployment flexibility
  • Reference Architecture and MBSE-driven time-to-launch optimization
  • Multi-classification readiness (IL5–IL7)
  • Rapid scalability and enhanced cyber resilience

The Road Ahead

We recognize the strategic challenges still unfolding:

  • Determining roles, responsibilities, and acquisition authorities
  • Understanding how offerings from other primes align or compete
  • Clarifying integration roles across the Golden Dome enterprise

That’s why Amentum is actively building the relationships and positioning necessary to accelerate Golden Dome delivery—and ensure the most adaptable, resilient systems are brought to bear for national defense.

Amentum: Ready to Lead

With over 70 years of experience in defense and space operations, Amentum stands ready to be the trusted partner for delivering scalable, flexible, and mission-proven solutions to protect the homeland.

We don’t just integrate systems – we accelerate capability.

Projects

On the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) Contract, Amentum delivers integrated solutions supporting the concurrent testing, training, and operations for the Missile Defense Agency, enabling more rapid and effective research, development, integration, and testing for the advancement of the Missile Defense System.

Delivering innovative OM&S solutions on the Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment and Space Support Contract II (NISSC II), Amentum supports the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) and the U.S. Space Force in transforming operations from legacy systems to digital operations for the surveillance and cataloging of man-made objects in space; mitigation of orbital conflicts; threat warnings from airborne, land-based, and space-based systems; and operations and maintenance of classified communications.

Thought Leadership

Delivering superior integration and performance, supporting the recent flight test of a ground-based interceptor.

On December 11, 2023, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted Flight Test Ground-based Midcourse Defense Weapon System-12 with the successful intercept of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by an upgraded Ground-Based Interceptor.

Our small business teammates and specialty niche subcontractors on the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) Contract, directly integrated numerous system enclaves utilizing various MDA and partner networks to provide connectivity, communications and IT services across 36 sites/assets around the globe.

IRES employees were deployed to various locations to prepare and support event personnel, all of which required IT systems with uninterrupted services and network connectivity. IRES employees also prepared, upgraded and maintained critical test assets throughout the event. From requirements management, logistics support, IT engineering and services, operations and situational awareness, command and control, and mission assurance of event assets, talent from across the contract came together to support the successful execution of the test.

“Through the IRES contract, our Missile Defense Group provides industry-leading integrated solutions for some of the most complex projects in our nation’s defense,” said Mark Walter, President of Amentum Engineering & Technology Group. “The remarkable success of this flight test demonstrates our capability to defend our homeland, and we are grateful to all government, military and contractor employees contributing to this mission.”

We provide an efficient, flexible, multi-purpose, capabilities-based contract to execute multiple objectives and requirements from multiple stakeholders in a dynamic environment. These objectives include Missile Defense System (MDS) mission operations, testing, wargames and exercises, modeling and simulation, enterprise communications and information technology environment, operation of facility infrastructure, systems engineering and program integration. Our organization’s ability to provide integrated solutions supporting concurrent test, training and operations for MDA enables a more rapid and effective research, development, integration and testing for the advancement of MDS capabilities.

We’re providing enterprise services that support and enable the engineering of space for the Missile Defense Agency.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully launched two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) prototype demonstration satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida this week.

These prototypes will demonstrate the capability to detect and track hypersonic, ballistic, and other advanced threats. Maneuvering missiles, such as hypersonic glide vehicles, create a challenge for existing defense systems. Their ability to travel on unpredictable flight paths at low altitudes makes it difficult to track them using standard terrestrial radar systems. Space sensors improve tracking and discrimination precision, offer unrestricted access to globally detect and track missiles, and provide persistent global coverage. The critical HBTSS capability for the Missile Defense System (MDS) is the ability to collect fire-control-quality data that will be handed off to linked weapons systems to engage advanced threats successfully.

“We are tremendously proud of the contribution our Missile Defense Group is making to the defense of our nation,” said Mark Walter, President of Amentum Engineering & Technology Group. “This remarkable milestone demonstrates the dedication and capability of every government, contractor, and military individual who contributes to the missile defense mission.”

Amentum’s small business teammates and specialty niche subcontractors on the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) Contract, directly supported the planning, integration, and execution of the HBTSS launch. Most notably, IRES employees designed and built major components for the ground systems where the HBTSS ground mission software operates. This includes the enterprise architecture for space systems, enterprise ground services for the satellites, and a multi-mission space operations center. IRES employees continue to support the post-launch on-orbit demonstration of the prototypes through operations and sustainment of the enterprise ground systems and software from the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center on Schriever Space Force Base.

Amentum’s teammates provide an efficient, flexible, multi-purpose, capabilities-based contract to execute multiple objectives and requirements from multiple stakeholders in a dynamic environment. These objectives include MDS mission operations, testing, wargames and exercises, modeling and simulation, enterprise communications and information technology environment, operation of facility infrastructure, and the systems engineering and program integration of all this scope. Amentum’s ability to provide integrated solutions supporting concurrent testing, training, and operations for MDA enables more rapid and effective research, development, integration, and testing for the advancement of MDS capabilities.

Providing IT products and services, integration and systems engineering for FTM-32, building upon our successful track record supporting Missile Defense Agency flight tests.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the United States Navy conducted another successful flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System, demonstrating the capability to detect, track and intercept an advanced medium-range ballistic missile target during its terminal phase of flight. A target was successfully intercepted by the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II with a Software Upgrade. Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-32(FTM-32) proved to be a critical milestone in mission readiness and capability.

Our small business teammates and specialty niche subcontractors on the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) MDA contract directly supported the planning, integration and execution of connectivity, communications, and information services requirements for FTM-32. Its mission comprises a broad scope of research and development, systems engineering, integration and enterprise IT tailored to ensure the success of events like this and many other critical missions for other MDA programs and functional organizations.

“We take great pride in our role in advancing the Missile Defense System (MDS) through the success of this remarkable flight test,” said Mark Walter, President of Amentum Engineering & Technology Group. “The unwavering dedication and accomplishments of the Missile Defense Group in support of our nation’s critical missions are truly commendable.”

About the missile defense group

With a long history of supporting the defense sector, we have earned a reputation for commitment to excellence and outstanding achievements in quality, performance and safety. With a focus on long-term and ongoing client relationships, we offer an extensive range of program support capabilities to defense agencies that include the United States Department of Defense, U.K. Ministry of Defence, and Australian Department of Defence, along with other government agencies, defense contractors and suppliers across the globe. As the potential threat to national and global security increases, we remain vigilant and ready to provide advanced solutions to the warfighter.

Click for additional information about MDA and this event.

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