Lockheed Martin has created a command and control (C2) prototyping solution to help accelerate the development of the US government’s Golden Dome program — America’s version of Israel’s Iron Dome air and missile defense system.
The effort was carried out at the company’s Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Virginia, home to “The Lighthouse,” a secure facility for prototyping and experimentation. The site enables collaboration between government, military, and industry, supporting live, virtual, and simulated testing, classified exercises, modeling, wargaming, and mission-focused demonstrations.
Now operational, the facility will test future Golden Dome C2 systems using combat-proven technologies for operations across all domains — from the seabed to space. This includes battle management tools, sensor tasking, mission planning software, threat evaluation, and AI-enabled decision support to counter current and emerging threats.
The Golden Dome initiative aims to provide a layered, integrated defense against ballistic, hypersonic, and autonomous airborne threats. Backed by a network of satellites and sensors for early warning, the program is tied to the Pentagon’s SHIELD effort — a $151-billion, multi-contract project supporting AI-enabled detection, weapons development, integration, and cybersecurity. The US intends to field initial Golden Dome capabilities within three years.
