Aerovironment’s Wildcat UAV.
AeroVironment and SNC Partner to Develop ‘Golden Dome’ Defense System: ARLINGTON, Va. – Two major defense technology companies, AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at developing a next-generation “limited area defense” architecture for the United States. The joint effort, dubbed “Golden Dome for America” (GDA), seeks to create a comprehensive, layered shield to protect critical U.S. infrastructure from a new class of sophisticated aerial threats.
The partnership, announced on August 7, 2025, comes in response to what the companies describe as an “immediate and critical need” for a defensive system capable of countering next-generation aerial attacks from both near-peer and rogue nations. The GDA initiative is framed as a direct response to a belief held by the Trump Administration regarding a lack of a layered defense system.
According to Wahid Nawabi, AV Chairman, President, and CEO, the collaboration will enable the rapid delivery of “novel and affordable defensive solutions” to ensure “unmatched limited area ‘under-dome’ protection” for key locations such as military bases, airfields, ships, and other high-value infrastructure.
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The core of the GDA architecture is its comprehensive, multi-layered approach. AeroVironment and SNC plan to integrate a range of existing, open-architecture solutions that leverage passive and active sensing, radio frequency, directed energy, kinetic energy, electronic warfare, and cyber solutions. By addressing the entire “kill chain,” the system is designed to neutralize a wide array of threats, including Group 1-4 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and advanced cruise missiles. The companies also noted the system’s ability to extend its range as new sensors and interceptors are brought online, particularly from space.
In addition to the primary partnership, SNC’s sister company, Sierra Space, is exploring potential synergies with AeroVironment to address specific challenges within the GDA project. This broader collaboration points to a comprehensive, multi-domain strategy that leverages a wide range of technological expertise.
SNC CEO Fatih Ozmen characterized the ambitious nature of the project, stating that developing a next-generation shield for the American homeland requires “industry ingenuity and collaboration on par with the Manhattan Project.” He expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that the combined legacy of complex systems integration and open-architecture expertise from both companies would make Americans safer.
The strategic partnership marks a significant development in the U.S. defense sector, with two major players joining forces to tackle what they identify as a critical national security challenge. The Golden Dome for America architecture is presented as a scalable and adaptable solution designed to protect vital assets against the evolving landscape of aerial threats.
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