- Category
- Latest news
US Lockheed’s New Space Weapon Program Aims to Intercept Russian Hypersonic Missiles by 2028
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Lockheed Martin aims to begin orbital testing of hypersonic missile interceptor satellites within the next three years, but the company still hasn’t settled on what the interceptors will actually be, according to Defense One on August 5.
The US defense giant is exploring a variety of space-based concepts to take down threats like Russia’s Kinzhal and Tsirkon missiles. Options reportedly include everything from laser weapons to “munition satellites” capable of maneuvering autonomously for direct kinetic interception.
Uncertainty also surrounds the broader “Gold Dome” concept—a future US missile shield architecture intended to defend the homeland against advanced missile threats.
-8ff74eb427048fb43a21b623ab814c0b.png)
The Pentagon is currently drafting guiding documents to communicate its expectations to industry, though officials are trying not to overly constrain developers during this early phase.
As Defense Express notes, the idea of space interceptors is not entirely new for the US defense sector. During the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative—often dubbed “Star Wars”—proposed the use of space-based lasers to neutralize Soviet missile threats.
One such proposal, known as Brilliant Pebbles, envisioned small, autonomous kinetic interceptors operating in low Earth orbit. Though the Cold War’s end shelved those projects, some of the original contractors, like Martin Marietta, survived—and were later folded into Lockheed Martin.
Today, Lockheed faces fresh competition from upstart players like SpaceX, which has dramatically reduced the cost of launching constellations of satellites into orbit.
Lockheed has already launched a dedicated “Prototyping Center” to conduct virtual testing of advanced space defense concepts. The company plans to integrate not only its own in-house innovations but also breakthrough technologies from smaller firms and external partners.
Even if Lockheed doesn’t win the interceptor satellite contract, it remains deeply embedded in other segments of the Gold Dome project, especially radar, fire control, and targeting systems. For example, its AN/TPY-4 radar remains a key part of future missile warning and tracking networks.
Earlier, reports emerged that China was accelerating efforts to develop capabilities to neutralize the Starlink satellite constellation, citing national security concerns over its growing use in modern warfare.
Chinese military strategists and scientists have outlined various methods to disrupt or disable the US-based satellite network, which is owned and operated by SpaceX.
-4b6d67087ea264339fc0ce363961b255.jpg "Russian Drone Attack in Kharkiv Region Kills Two Men Loading Firewood")