The University of Arizona has joined a team led by Precise Systems, Inc., that will be allowed to compete for up to $151 billion in Golden Dome contracts. The effort will bolster the strong national defense ecosystem in Southern Arizona and is supported by entities including UA Venture Capital and Critical Infrastructure Investments, which identifies, grows and supports science and engineering-based concepts as they evolve into companies.

The Golden Dome is a proposed multi-layer missile defense system equipped with space-based interceptors that will be designed to detect and destroy hypersonic, cruise and ballistic missiles before or just after they launch. The Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, is a 10-year U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract vehicle developed to support the Golden Dome project.

"This is a tough world we live in. In my 51 years of serving in the national security arena, I've never seen the world more volatile than it is right now," said retired Air Force Gen. Robin Rand, president and chief executive officer of the University of Arizona Applied Research Corporation. "Many in our country may not be fully aware of these challenges, but the University of Arizona is. We salute Precise Systems for leading this effort and are proud to share the university's expertise to facilitate tremendous strides in national security through the Golden Dome project."

Defense contractor Precise Systems, a portfolio company of Bluestone Investment Partners, has emerged as the leader of the ecosystem that in November was approved to be considered for Golden Dome contracts via SHIELD.

"Being named to the SHIELD contract reflects the trust placed in Precise to support one of the nation's most critical defense missions," said Matthew Orsino, chief growth officer of Precise Systems. "Our focus is on delivering resilient architectures, modern engineering approaches, and emerging technologies that help our customers move faster and operate with confidence in highly complex mission spaces."

The U of A has a deep legacy in space sciences, including space domain awareness, with nationally renowned experts in fields such as optical sciences, directed energy, and spectrum and information dominance. Contributions to the Golden Dome via SHIELD align with the U of A Office of Research and Partnerships' strategic focus on national defense, including multiple projects designed to support military readiness, secure communications, critical infrastructure and economic resilience.

"At the University of Arizona, we view national security as one of the grand challenges of our time and a call to action for public research universities," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. "Partnerships like this one with Precise Systems are essential, as they enable us to connect our expertise in space science and satellite systems, hypersonics, quantum technologies and cybersecurity with mission needs to succeed in an increasingly complex global landscape."

Last year, Lexington Park, Maryland-based Precise Systems, Inc. acquired Tucson Embedded Systems, LLC, a hardware and software engineering firm specializing in areas including model-based engineering and sensor open system architecture. The Tucson-based organization has a record of creating avionic systems that support the rapid design, development, verification, integration and certification of embedded, mission-critical avionic systems for U.S. Department of War clients such as the Naval Air Warfare Center.

The partnership between the U of A and Precise Systems, Inc. will add to the strong Southern Arizona defense ecosystem, which includes major industry players such as Sargent Aerospace and Defense, Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Paragon Space Development, as well as military installations such as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca. Critical Infrastructure Investments, a capture support company founded by former U of A professor Alex Dely, is actively assembling a defense ecosystem capable of responding to urgent national security initiatives.

U of A researchers continue to expand regional strengths through high-tech research and innovations that become sustainable businesses via Tech Launch Arizona, the office of the U of A that commercializes inventions stemming from university research.

Three U of A startups – DeUVe Photonics, FreeFall Aerospace and CM Laser Technologies – are part of the Precise Systems consortium for Golden Dome projects. They, and many other U of A startups, benefit from UA Venture Capital, a firm that has invested more than $30 million to help launch and grow 14 U of A startups.

UA Venture Capital partners with leading government contracting experts, including Critical Infrastructure Investments, which helped cultivate early conversations with experts from across Southern Arizona that led to the Precise Systems team.

"UA Venture Capital is proud to help activate broad regional collaboration around Golden Dome, an important national security initiative," said Fletcher McCusker, founder and general principal of UA Venture Capital, which has a $100 million national defense venture fund focused on defense-specific areas such as hypersonics and missile defense, cybersecurity and threat detection, and more. "This effort represents a win for our investors, accelerates economic growth in Arizona, and strengthens the bridge between industry and academia."

Learn more about the University of Arizona's national security research.