Despite the “Iron Dome of America” only being in discussions, General Atomics is already setting its sights on the ambitious project with its “super wide area” sensor said to enhance the system’s overall effectiveness and response time.
Dave Alexander, head of the company’s aeronautics unit, told Breaking Defense that General Atomics is developing a long-range, high-resolution sensor aimed at improving threat detection and neutralization.
The sensor’s “super wide area” coverage eliminates the need for additional sensors, helping to reduce the overall costs of the possible “Iron Dome of America” initiative.
“What we’re trying to do is just to grab available technology combined with this new sensor … so that we can get out there and scale and do it for a very affordable price,” he noted.
“The cost of what we’re talking about on this ground layer sensing is two orders of magnitude less cost than your traditional systems. So that means it’s 1/100th of the cost. That’s what’s game changing about it.”
Alexander explained that the new sensor is nearing full-rate production, ensuring it will be ready by the time the Iron Dome project is finalized.
‘High Technology Readiness Level’
General Atomics has already developed and deployed various sensors across multiple platforms, including the Predator, Avenger, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian drones.
While details remain limited, Alexander mentioned that the new sensor builds on proven technologies from other areas, achieving a “high technology readiness level.”
However, it remains unclear whether the sensor has been previously demonstrated or if it was developed for an existing program.
General Atomics plans to respond to future requests for information related to the “Iron Dome of America” project and intends to participate in an upcoming industry day to learn more about the initiative.
In January 2025, US President-elect Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to explore the potential of an “Iron Dome of America,” a system modeled after Israel’s renowned Iron Dome air defense, designed to counter next-generation aerial threats.
