WSJ: Two US firms jointly developing software for Golden Dome missile shields

American technology companies Anduril Industries and Palantir Technologies are part of a group of contractors developing software for the United States’ next-generation missile defence system, the Golden Dome, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

The newspaper reports that the software is expected to be ready for testing by summer 2026.

Other software developers named by sources include Swoop Technologies and Aalyria Technologies, an artificial intelligence startup affiliated with Scale AI. The original developer consortium also included defence contractors Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX.

The software for the Golden Dome is critical because it will integrate radars and other sensors that detect and track aerial threats. Using this software, commanders will be able to manage the weapons arsenal to intercept attacks. If the software performs successfully during demonstrations, its developers “could earn billions of dollars” from ongoing system maintenance, WSJ notes.

The development of the Golden Dome missile defence system is expected to cost at least $185 billion. Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish the Golden Dome shortly after returning to the White House in January 2025.

According to the order, the new missile defence system is intended to protect the entire US territory against “ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, as well as other modern aerial attack systems.” The first test of the upgraded system is not expected before fall 2028.