Musk’s SpaceX frontrunner for ‘Golden Dome’ defence contract

#Musks #SpaceX #frontrunner #Golden #Dome #defence #contract

WASHINGTON: Elon Musk’s Space X and two partners have become the runner to win a significant part of US President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, according to six people.

Sources said that Mask’s satellite and rocket company is cooperating with the drone manufacturer Andorel and software developer Pelantier to construct the Golden Dome’s important components, which has focused much more than the growing number of defense -related technology in this field.

In his January 27 executive order, Trump called the missile attack “the most destructive threat to the United States.”

All three companies were founded by businessmen who are major political supporters of Trump. Musk has donated more than $ 1 billion to help Trump select, and now works as a special adviser to the president who is working to reduce government spending in the performance of his department.

Despite the Pentagon’s positive gestures to the SpaceX group, some sources stressed that Trump’s Golden Dome’s decision was in the early stages of the process. Its final structure and who has been selected to work on it may change dramatically in the coming months.

Sources said the three companies met with the Trump administration and top Pentagon officials in recent weeks to develop their plan, which will create more than 400 satellites and launch the world to realize missiles and track their movements.

Three sources said a separate fleet of 200 attacks equipped with missiles or lasers would bring down enemy missiles. Sources said that Space X Group is not expected to be involved in satellite weapons.

Sources familiar with the negotiations described them as “departing from the usual acquisition process. There is an attitude that the national security and defense community will have to be sensitive and desperate for Elon Musk because of their role in the government.”

Space X and Musk have refused to comment on whether Musk is involved in any discussions or negotiations on federal agreements with his business.

The Pentagon did not respond to Reuters’ detailed questions, just saying that “according to the Executive Order and will give the President powers to make his decision in the guidance of the White House and alignment with timelines.”

The White House, Space X, Pelantier, and Andrew also did not answer questions. After the publication, Musk responded to a post about Writers’ story on his social network X without any explanation: “This is not true.”

Regular payment model

In an unusual turning point, Space X has proposed to compose its role in the Golden Dome as a “subscription service” in which the government will pay access to technology rather than owning the system.

Both sources said that the subscription model, which has not been reported earlier, may scratch some Pentagon purchase protocol, which can allow the system to be removed rapidly. He added that although this approach would not violate any rules, the government could be closed in membership and lose its ongoing growth and prices.

Two sources told Reuters that some Pentagon officials have expressed internal concerns about relying on subscription models for any part of the Golden Dome. Such arrangements would be unusual for such a large and critical defense program.

Both sources said that US space force General Michael Gatlin was talking about whether the spaceX system should own and operator. Other options include the US’s own and its work, or the owner of the United States, while the contractor takes over the operation. Gatlin did not respond to a comment.

Both sources said that retired Air Force General Terror and Shagani, who is a Musk’s top Space X -Advisor, is involved in the company’s recent talks with senior defense and intelligence leaders. O Shigny did not respond to the commentary requests.

If the group, led by SpaceX, should win the Golden Dome contract, this profitable defense contract will be one of the biggest wins for the Silicon Valley in the industry and a blow to traditional contractors.

However, people familiar with the companies said that these long -standing contractors, such as Northup Gromeman, Boeing and RTX, are also expected to be a big player in the process. Lockheed Martin set up a web page as part of his marketing efforts.

Bid more than one

According to an American official, the Pentagon has gained interest from more than 180 companies, which can help in the development and construction of the Golden Dome, including a US official, including defensive launch such as Epieris, Arsa Major and Armda. Four sources said members of the White House National Security Council were informed by a handful of companies about their capabilities.

Two US defense officials said the Pentagon’s number two, former private equity investor Steve Fanberg, would be an important decision maker for the Golden Dome.

Fanberg laid the foundation of Serbirus Capital Management, which has invested in the modern hypersonic missile industry but not in Space X. Fanberg, who did not respond to a comment request, said that when he joined the administration, he would eliminate all his interests in Serbirus.

Some experts believe that the total cost of the Golden Dome can reach hundreds of billions of dollars. The Pentagon set up numerous timelines for the capabilities that began in the early 2026 provided after 2030.

Laura Grego, the research director of the relevant scientists, questioned the feasibility of such a defense system that numerous studies have concluded that it is a “bad idea, expensive and weak.”

“By launching numerous weapons at the same time, pushing the desired size of the defense into a huge number – potentially in tens of thousands of satellite, such a system could be overwhelmed,” Grego said.

According to two sources familiar with Space X’s targets, Space X is patching the Golden Dome for a part of the Golden Dome move, which will detect missiles, detect their speed, and determine whether they are going to the United States, or not.

Space X estimates that the cost of initial engineering and design work for layer in the custody of satellites will cost between $ 6 billion to $ 10 billion. Sources said that in the past five years, SpaceX has launched hundreds of operational spy satellites and several prototypes recently, which can be re -used to use for the project.

Reuters reviewed the internal Pentagon memo of Defense Secretary Peter Hegsit, issued to the Senior Pentagon leadership on February 28, calling for the initial Golden Dome proposals and demanding “accelerating the deployment of satellites”.

People familiar with the project said that the timeframe could benefit Space X because of its rocket fleet, including Falcon 9, and the current satellite that could be re -produced for the missile defense shield.

Despite these benefits, some of those familiar with these debates said that it was uncertain whether SpaceX group would be able to cost effectively with new technology that would protect the United States from attacking.

One source said, “It remains to be seen whether Space X and these tech companies will be able to remove any of them.” “They never had to provide the entire system that the nation would need to rely on for its own defense.”

In addition, some Democrats in the Congress expressed concern over Musk’s bid on federal agreements while serving in the White House.

“When the richest man in the world can become a special government employee and his companies affect the flow of billions of dollars in government contracts, this is a serious problem,” US Senator Jane Shaheen (DNH), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

Shaheen has introduced a new legislation, which will prevent federal agreements from being released from any special government employee -owned companies like Musk.

US Representative Donald Beer, D-VA, told Reuters that he was also worried about Space X’s role in the face of Musk’s unprecedented “non-public information and data”.

“Any contract given to him, or his companies, is suspicious,” he said.