Golden Dome Rardar.Image: Defence Blog
By Dylan Malyasov,
Published by Defense Blog, 4 October 2025
Northrop Grumman is advancing U.S. homeland defense with its new “Golden Dome for America,” built around the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) — a mobile, ground-based sensor designed to detect, track, and respond to evolving threats with speed and precision.
“Threats to our homeland are growing faster, more complex and more unpredictable,” said Roshan Roeder, corporate vice president and president of Mission Systems at Northrop Grumman. “At Northrop Grumman, we are ensuring our defenders stay one step ahead. I know we have the right solutions, ready now, to keep Americans safe from the threats of today and tomorrow.”
The G/ATOR system is already a critical part of the layered defense network, with 38 systems fielded and counting. It provides 360-degree coverage for the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force and has demonstrated strong performance against a range of air and surface threats. Its advanced S-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar delivers long-range precision and weapons-quality tracking — key attributes for defending against fast-moving targets.
Golden Dome is designed to integrate seamlessly into the broader homeland defense architecture. Through interoperability with NATO and U.S. command and control systems, G/ATOR can deliver real-time actionable data to detect, assess, and respond to threats. The system can also share data across the battlespace, improving situational awareness and coordination between services and allied forces.
“Golden Dome for America represents the next evolution of layered homeland defense,” Roeder said. “The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is a mobile, ground-based sensor primed to play a key role in protecting our nation.”
One of the system’s defining features is its ability to execute multiple missions simultaneously — a capability enabled by advanced microelectronics manufactured in-house at Northrop Grumman. This allows G/ATOR to respond quickly and decisively to multiple, simultaneous threats, an essential advantage when milliseconds matter.
The system’s versatility and precision are central to its mission. By providing actionable data across domains and integrating seamlessly with command networks, G/ATOR helps defend against complex, multi-layered threats ranging from ballistic missiles to low-flying cruise missiles and drones. It enhances the U.S. military’s ability to operate in a contested environment while preserving freedom of action for commanders on the ground.
“Golden Dome will bring together systems across domains,” Northrop Grumman said. “Through interoperability with all NATO and U.S. command and control systems, G/ATOR provides the actionable data needed to detect, assess, and respond to incoming threats in real time, as well as the ability to share that data across the battlespace.”
Golden Dome is part of a broader push to modernize homeland defense infrastructure and ensure readiness against rapidly evolving threats. Its introduction reflects the Pentagon’s strategic emphasis on layered defense systems that combine radar, command-and-control integration, and rapid-response capabilities into a unified network.
“Golden Dome is an effort designed to preserve our very way of life for generations to come,” Roeder said. “With proven advanced technologies, an unyielding focus on innovation, and steadfast commitment to our nation’s defenders, Northrop Grumman is proud to deliver the systems that ensure they remain ready, resilient and ahead of tomorrow’s threats.”
As the U.S. faces a changing threat landscape, systems like G/ATOR will play an increasingly central role in protecting the homeland, ensuring that American forces — and the nation they defend — remain secure in an era defined by speed, complexity, and unpredictability.
See: Original Article
