AeroVironment Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corp. announced a strategic partnership to develop the next generation of integrated, open-architecture air and missile defense systems in support of the Golden Dome for America initiative.
Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and CEO, said the Trump administration recognizes what the defense industry has long believed — the urgent need for a layered system to protect the U.S. against current and next-generation aerial threats from near-peer and rogue nations.
“Together, AV and SNC can rapidly provide novel and affordable defensive solutions, ensuring unmatched limited area ‘under-dome’ protection for critical U.S. infrastructure,” he added.
The companies plan to integrate passive and active sensing, radio frequency, directed energy, kinetic energy, electronic warfare and cyber capabilities to counter unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and other next-generation threats. The approach will target specific high-value sites such as bases, ships, airfields and infrastructure, with the ability to expand coverage as new sensors and interceptors are added.
Sierra Space, an SNC sister company, and AeroVironment are also exploring opportunities to address additional challenges in the program.
SNC CEO Fatih Ozmen said an ambitious, next-generation shield to protect the U.S. from more complex threats will require industry ingenuity and collaboration on par with the Manhattan Project.
“With our legacy of complex systems integration and open architecture expertise, SNC is thrilled to work with AV to bring together complementary capabilities and cutting-edge technologies to make Americans safer,” he added.