Firefly, a Ukrainian roots Company, to Purchase the Developer of Golden Dome Air Defense Software

Firefly Aerospace, the aerospace company with Ukrainian roots, will purchase SciTec, a company specializing in software development for the U.S. defense sector.

The company announced this on its website.

The acquisition is valued at approximately $855 million.

The deal will be financed with $300 million in cash and $555 million in Firefly Aerospace stock, with its completion expected by the end of the year.

Firefly CEO Jason Kim stated that SciTec’s proven software and big data processing capabilities will significantly enhance the company’s ability to provide integrated software solutions for critical U.S. national security issues, particularly for the Golden Dome air defense system.

SciTec, which will become a subsidiary of Firefly upon the acquisition completion, has expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligence, surveillance, and remote sensing and analysis.

SciTec has provided capabilities for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System and holds a contract to modernize the ground segment of the U.S. Space Force’s missile warning and tracking system under the Future Operational Resilient Ground Evolution program.

SciTec’s data processing capabilities will strengthen Firefly’s position on the Golden Dome missile defense project, which Donald Trump supports.

It’s worth noting that Firefly Aerospace, co-owned by Ukrainian Maksym Polyakov, became the first commercial company in history to successfully land on the Moon.

Golden Dome

In September, the Pentagon announced the completion of development and planning for the new missile defense system. However, the department declined to provide details regarding the scale or cost of the program.

Previously, Todd Harrison, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, stated that approximately 950 interceptors positioned in orbit would be needed to successfully target a single intercontinental ballistic missile.

The U.S. military has scheduled the first test of the new Golden Dome missile defense system for the end of 2028.