Summary: AeroDefense has been selected by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) IDIQ contract, enabling the company to compete for task orders supporting national defense initiatives, including the Golden Dome project, to provide advanced drone detection solutions.
We are proud to announce that AeroDefense has been selected by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, a major milestone that reinforces our role in advancing homeland defense technologies.
With a contract ceiling of $151 billion, the SHIELD program enables qualified technology providers to rapidly prototype, test, and deliver innovative solutions across multiple national security mission areas. AeroDefense’s inclusion allows us to compete for task orders that support high-priority defense initiatives, including the Golden Dome project - a critical effort focused on enhancing drone detection and airspace awareness at sensitive federal sites.
Through SHIELD, AeroDefense is positioned to deploy its AirWarden® drone detection systems, delivering real-time alerts and live and historical actionable intelligence. These capabilities empower security teams with enhanced situational awareness, enabling them to monitor airspace activity, identify unauthorized drones, and respond proactively to emerging threats.
One of the first anticipated task orders under SHIELD is the Golden Dome project, which prioritizes the deployment of advanced drone detection technologies to protect critical infrastructure and federal facilities. Our participation reflects a shared commitment with the Missile Defense Agency to deliver agile, scalable, and reliable solutions that strengthen homeland security.
“AeroDefense’s inclusion in SHIELD reflects our deep technical expertise and commitment to mission-driven innovation,” said Linda Ziemba, Founding CEO of AeroDefense. “We are honored to compete under SHIELD and look forward to supporting the Missile Defense Agency with agile, reliable solutions that enhance airspace awareness.”
AeroDefense’s selection for the SHIELD IDIQ contract vehicle builds on our proven track record of delivering advanced drone detection solutions in complex and high-threat environments. This includes:
CoDDN enables secure, rules-based data sharing across agencies and deployments, strengthening coordinated response efforts and supporting broader defense objectives.
These successful engagements demonstrate our ability to develop, deploy, and scale technologies that meet the evolving demands of modern defense and security operations.
The SHIELD IDIQ contract extends through December 2035, creating long-term opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and technology advancement. Over the next decade, AeroDefense will continue investing in cutting-edge research and development, delivering solutions that evolve alongside emerging drone threats and mission requirements.
We are honored to contribute to this vital national security initiative and look forward to working closely with government partners to enhance airspace awareness, strengthen operational readiness, and protect critical assets.
What is the Golden Dome shield plan?
The Golden Dome is a proposed U.S. national defense initiative designed to shield the United States from high-altitude, long-range threats like intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons using a massive network of space satellites and interceptors. It incorporates low-altitude drone detection to plug critical blind spots where radar-evading drone swarms could otherwise bypass the space shield.
Who controls the Golden Dome project?
U.S. Space Force Gen. Michael A. Guetlein is the Director and Direct Reporting Program Manager in charge of the Department of Defense's Golden Dome for America project. Also known as the Golden Dome "czar," he reports directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense to oversee the development of this layered homeland missile defense shield.
What is an MDA contract?
An MDA contract is a contract awarded by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), a U.S. Department of Defense organization responsible for developing, testing, and fielding integrated missile defense systems. MDA contracts support technologies and services that strengthen national defense, including missile defense, airspace awareness, command and control, and related security capabilities.