March 24 (Reuters) - Anduril and Palantir Technologies ( PLTR )

are working together to develop software for U.S.

President Donald Trump's Golden Dome antimissile shield

initiative, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The $185 billion Golden Dome missile defense project aims to

build a space-based shield capable of intercepting ballistic,

cruise and hypersonic missiles, with hundreds of companies vying

for a role in developing the shield.

Anduril and Palantir ( PLTR ) have been interested in being a part of

Golden Dome since its inception. Reuters reported last year that

the firms were working with Elon Musk's SpaceX on various parts

of the project.

Anduril was also among companies that were awarded half a

dozen small Golden Dome contracts in November to build competing

missile defense prototypes.

Aalyria Technologies, startup Scale AI and software firm

Swoop Technologies are also working on the project, the source

added.

The companies did not immediately respond to Reuters

requests for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the

development on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin ( LMT ), RTX and Northrop Grumman ( NOC )

had earlier joined the program as prime contractors.

The price tag for project has increased by $10 billion to

$185 billion in a bid to accelerate key space-based

capabilities, the program's director said last week.