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Trump's missile defense system could cost up to $175

billion

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Lockheed, Boeing ( BA ) propose using existing weapons

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SpaceX, Palantir ( PLTR ) and Anduril also in contention

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Funding tied to contentious reconciliation bill in

Congress

By Joe Brock

PARIS, June 16 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) and

Boeing ( BA ) said on Monday they are positioning themselves to

secure a significant share of U.S. President Donald Trump's

Golden Dome missile defense system, as competition intensifies

over what could become one of the world's largest defense

contracts.

Announced by Trump in January, Golden Dome is projected to

cost up to $175 billion and aims to create a network of

satellites, perhaps numbering in the hundreds, to detect, track

and potentially intercept incoming missiles.

While the program envisions cutting-edge technologies such

as space-based interceptors and directed-energy weapons, many of

the early systems are expected to come from existing defense

platforms. That puts established players like L3Harris

Technologies ( LHX ), Lockheed Martin ( LMT ), Boeing ( BA ) and RTX Corp ( RTX )

in contention for early contracts.

"We clearly have a whole number of product lines that will

contribute very well, that are going to fit very well with what

is necessary to achieve the mission," said Tim Cahill, President

of Missiles and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin ( LMT ).

"The key is going to be in the acceleration in some cases of

production for volume, the upgrades potentially, the

enhancements," Cahill told reporters at the Paris Airshow, the

world's largest aerospace gathering.

Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) already supplies systems that could be

integrated into Golden Dome, including C2BMC missile detection

and command system, the PAC-3 advanced air defense missile and

the THAAD interceptor.

At a separate media briefing at the air show, Boeing's ( BA )

interim CEO for space and defense, Steve Parker, said the

company had done "a lot of work" on Golden Dome, without going

into details.

Boeing ( BA ) has developed compact laser weapons capable of

downing drones and potentially intercepting missiles and it

produces components for the PAC-3 missile, including seekers.

Elon Musk's SpaceX, as the largest rocket launcher and

satellite company in the world, is considered a frontrunner for

Golden Dome, although Musk's recent falling out with Trump has

led to a review of SpaceX contracts, Reuters reported last week.

AI-firm Palantir ( PLTR ) and drone-maker Anduril are also

potential beneficiaries for components of the system.

Stephanie Hill, Lockheed's president of the Rotary and

Mission Systems, said it had "a lot of discussions" with

competitors about collaborating on Golden Dome, without naming

any.

She said that SpaceX, Palantir ( PLTR ) and Anduril were among the

companies that could offer important technology for the project.

"It's going to take all of industry ... defense industry,

commercial industry, it's going to take all of government and

academia to really make this Golden Dome for America," Hill

said.

Golden Dome's funding remains uncertain. Republican

lawmakers have proposed a $25-billion initial investment as part

of a broader $150-billion defense package, but this funding is

tied to a contentious reconciliation bill that faces significant

hurdles in Congress.