L3Harris image of missile warning and tracking satellite

The Space Force has selected Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) to serve as the technical direction agent for the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program, the service announced Friday. In this role, the laboratory will serve as an “independent, conflict-free advisor to ensure system-architecture consistency across industry partners” as DoD investigates creating a Low-Earth Orbit constellation of interceptors to target boost and midcourse phases of ballistic missiles and glide phase hypersonic missiles as part of the Golden Dome initiative. In…