WASHINGTON — Google is in preliminary discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide cybersecurity, data storage and networking capabilities for President Donald Trump's $185 billion Golden Dome missile defense program, according to Bloomberg.
The Pentagon is forming an industry consortium to protect the data infrastructure supporting Golden Dome's command-and-control systems. The proposed role for Google would focus on keeping military communications and software operational even if adversaries disrupt landlines, mobile phone towers or other terrestrial networks.
The discussions remain at an early stage, and no contract has been awarded. A Pentagon official said the department is evaluating concepts and has not finalized the consortium's structure or participating companies. Google and Aalyria Technologies declined to comment.
Golden Dome to Integrate Ground and Space-Based Systems
The Golden Dome program is designed as a multilayered missile defense architecture combining ground-based installations with space-based sensors and interceptors. It aims to detect, track and respond to missile threats, including ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons and cruise missiles.
The program's overall cost is estimated at $185 billion, with an initial operational capability targeted around 2028 and a more complete architecture expected later.
The Pentagon is developing a command-and-control framework to connect previously separate radars, satellites, weapons systems and other military platforms across different services into a common operating picture.
Technology Companies Join Golden Dome Development
The Pentagon is moving away from relying on a single traditional defense contractor for the program. The broader effort includes Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, SpaceX, Scale AI and Aalyria Technologies, a networking company spun out of Google.
These companies are developing software and networking capabilities to connect military systems and improve coordination across different services. Google's potential contribution would focus on securing the data flowing into the command-and-control software.
Aalyria is already involved in the broader Golden Dome effort, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The U.S. Space Force has also awarded contracts worth up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies, including SpaceX, Anduril and Lockheed Martin, to develop prototypes of space-based interceptors. The prototypes are intended to demonstrate the ability to engage missiles during their boost, midcourse and glide phases of flight.
Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein leads the Golden Dome program office.
Google Expands Military Technology Work
The potential agreement would mark Google's first publicly known involvement in the Golden Dome program and continue its expanding work in defense and national security.
In 2018, Google withdrew from the Pentagon's Project Maven artificial intelligence initiative following employee protests. Since then, Alphabet has expanded its work with government and defense agencies, including a deal in April 2026 to deploy its proprietary AI models for classified military operations.
The Golden Dome initiative combines traditional defense contractors with commercial technology companies to develop different parts of the system.
Funding has largely come through reconciliation legislation passed in 2025, with most of the initial allocation already obligated. Additional funding for the next fiscal year remains under discussion in Congress.
Google's potential role remains under evaluation, and any formal agreement will depend on further discussions and decisions by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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