Golden Dome is America’s bold vision for a next-generation missile defense shield. While others focus on sensors and interceptors, Parallax/OAI delivers the connective tissue—fusion, workflows, testbeds, standards, and workforce pipelines—that makes the architecture resilient, scalable, and ready when called upon. To examine how these pieces come together, we spoke with subject-matter experts across Parallax/OAI, each offering perspective on what it will take to build—and sustain—the connective tissue Golden Dome requires.
1. Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) Testbeds: Reduce Integration Risk Before Fielding: Golden Dome needs a low-risk proving ground where system concepts can be modeled, stressed, and optimized. Parallax/OAI’s LVC environments offer high-fidelity, repeatable simulations that expose vulnerabilities early.
“We can model out reality first—then put physical things in place.” —Justin Morgan, Lead Intelligence Research Analyst
2. Operator Workflows Built Around Human Cognition: Crews cannot withstand saturation raids if workflows overload them. We design interfaces and training pipelines that surface the right information at the right moment and reduce cognitive load under extreme time pressure.
“You must engineer workflows that surface the right information at the right time.” —Dr. Mary Frame, Program Manager & Director of Cognitive Research
3. Fusion & Decision Support That Cuts Through Data Overload: MATRIX fuses space IR, radar, EO/IR, and RF data into clear, explainable recommendations that accelerate decisions. This transparency builds trust during high-stress engagements.
“If operators see unexplained AI decisions, they hesitate—and you can’t afford hesitation in a raid.” —Dr. Steven Harbour, Director of AI Hardware Research
4. Open Standards That Enable True Interoperability: Golden Dome currently lacks shared schemas and interfaces. Parallax/OAI’s consortium expertise brings primes, SMEs, academia, and government together to define interoperable standards that prevent stovepipes.
“Our role is to build the table, set the rules, and keep everyone at it.” —Anthony Gillespie, Director of Technology Based Economic Development
5. AI Assurance for Fire Control: Golden Dome depends on AI for track correlation and interceptor allocation—but only if the AI is trusted. Our neuromorphic adversarial testing and fusion-layer validation harden models against deception, clutter, and cyber/EW manipulation.
6. Workforce Pipelines to Meet National-Scale Demand: Golden Dome requires a cleared technical workforce at unprecedented scale. Parallax/OAI builds regional and national pipelines that identify critical competencies and train technicians, engineers, and operators aligned to mission needs.
Golden Dome will not be judged by the power of any single radar or interceptor, but by how effectively the entire system works as a unified kill web. Parallax/OAI delivers the connective layers that make this possible—testbeds that reduce risk, workflows that empower operators, fusion that accelerates decisions, AI that can be trusted, low-altitude sensing that closes gaps, standards that prevent stovepipes, and a workforce ready to sustain it all.
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About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.