Lockheed Martin plans to demonstrate a space-based interceptor capable of targeting hypersonic missiles by 2028, company officials said Monday.

The concept is considered the most critical and ambitious element of the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense shield, though key elements of the overall architecture are still being finalized by the government and its stakeholders.

Amanda Pound, director of advanced programs development at Lockheed Martin, said the company is exploring several interception technologies, including laser systems and satellites that transform into projectiles to pursue hard-to-hit targets.

“The goal is to field an on-orbit demonstration of a space-based interceptor by 2028,” she said. “We have the capability to do that. We’re ready to support.”

As part of the effort, Lockheed Martin announced the launch of a new prototyping hub to test advanced concepts for space-based missile defense, including technologies developed by partners and smaller firms.

The hub was established at the company’s Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Virginia, also known as “the Lighthouse.”

“Prototyping is already underway at the Lighthouse,” a company statement reads, “where real capabilities are being tested against current and future threat scenarios, from ground to space.”

Thad Beckert, Golden Dome command-and-control (C2) director at Lockheed Martin, emphasized that the company is moving quickly to deliver integrated C2 capabilities for what he described as an unprecedented national defense challenge.

“Golden Dome for America is a challenge unlike anything attempted at this scale or on this timeline, and we’re moving fast to bring together connected C2 capabilities that work now,” said Beckert.

“This prototyping approach is a novel method to provide evolutionary capability for an unprecedented effort. This environment offers the government the ability to experiment and exercise with technologies that weren’t originally built to work together and make them operate cohesively,” he added.