Lockheed Martin Unveils Command and Control Prototyping Hub to Power 'Golden Dome for America' Defense Shield

Lockheed Martin has launched a new Command and Control (C2) prototyping hub in Suffolk, Virginia, designed to strengthen the United States' efforts under the “Golden Dome for America”—a national-level project aimed at building a layered air and missile defense system to protect the U.S. homeland.

The new facility, named “The Lighthouse”, is part of Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation. It is set up to accelerate the development and integration of battle-tested C2 systems, which are crucial in connecting sensors, shooters, and platforms across all military domains—from the seabed to space.

At its core, this initiative focuses on real-time situational awareness and coordinated response to threats by merging data from multiple sources. These C2 systems play a vital role in detecting threats, coordinating defense systems like interceptors, and ensuring cyber-resilient communications across the network.

“This rapid C2 prototyping effort is one among many within Lockheed Martin demonstrating how we can support the US Government as a Golden Dome for America mission partner,” said Daniel Nimblett, Vice President of Layered Homeland Defense at Lockheed Martin.

Prototyping work is already in motion at The Lighthouse, where Lockheed Martin is testing how well its technologies hold up against both existing and emerging threats. This includes advancements in threat evaluation, AI/ML integration, mission planning, battle management, and secure data sharing across air, land, sea, and space.

Calling the initiative a “challenge unlike anything attempted at this scale or on this timeline,” Thad Beckert, Golden Dome C2 Director at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the need to move fast. He described The Lighthouse as a unique space where technologies that weren’t originally built to work together can now be tested and adapted to function as a cohesive unit.

The Lighthouse also supports multi-level classified experimentation and is fully equipped for modelling, simulation, wargaming, tabletop exercises, and Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) testing. It already serves as a collaborative hub for government, academia, and industry to shape next-generation defense tools.

Looking ahead, Lockheed Martin plans to bring in technologies from multiple defense companies to build an integrated C2 solution. “No one company is going to bring all of the solutions,” Beckert said, highlighting the importance of cross-industry collaboration. “We are committed to helping the government build a unified, layered homeland defense that protects our nation now and into the future.”

The Golden Dome for America program, spearheaded by the U.S. government, is designed to deliver a comprehensive, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) architecture. It aims to be operational ahead of 2028, and Lockheed Martin’s new hub marks a significant step in meeting that ambitious timeline.

With growing threats from hypersonic missiles, drones, and cyber attacks, this initiative is seen as a strategic priority for national defense. Lockheed Martin’s Lighthouse, by fusing existing technologies with experimental innovation, is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of homeland protection.