Trump just dropped a $175 billion bombshell called the Golden Dome plan, and defense stocks like Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX (RTX), Palantir (PLTR), and L3Harris (LHX) are rushing to stake their claim. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill defense upgrade — it’s a full-throttle leap that’s being talked about in the same breath as the Manhattan Project.
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Frank St. John, Lockheed’s COO, spelled it out to Axios saying, “In terms of importance for the defense of the nation, it’s similar to the Manhattan Project.” This move isn’t just about padding the defense budget; it’s shaking the very foundations of how the U.S. plans to shield itself from missile threats coming out of China, Russia, and anyone else bold enough to throw down.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) Locks In as Star Player
Lockheed isn’t just watching from the sidelines. It’s already in the huddle. From the Sentinel A4 radar to its long-range interceptors, this is Lockheed’s natural turf. COO Frank St. John compared the Golden Dome’s urgency to the atomic age: “In terms of importance for the defense of the nation, it’s similar to the Manhattan Project.” That’s not casual boardroom talk. That’s battle stations.
The company is also eyeing a slice of the new $27 billion earmarked just for phase one. This could supercharge Lockheed’s revenue — especially with missile defense and space contracts likely to pour in.
RTX (RTX) Powers Up Precision Radar Systems
RTX, the artist formerly known as Raytheon, might not grab headlines like Lockheed, but make no mistake — its radar tech could be the backbone of the Golden Dome. RTX’s interceptors and tracking systems are critical for the kind of “see everything, hit anything” satellite shield Trump is envisioning.
Golden Dome needs vision. RTX builds the eyes.
Palantir (PLTR) Quietly Becomes a $140B Giant
Palantir is the unlikely winner that’s already laughing its way to the bank. Since Trump’s win, it’s added $23 billion in market cap. That kind of climb isn’t about vibes — it’s about federal dollars. Palantir’s software is almost tailor-made for tracking threats in real time, integrating satellite feeds, and helping the military predict the next move before it happens.
In fact, Palantir’s now worth more than Lockheed. Let that sink in.
L3Harris (LHX) Builds Out Satellite Backbone
L3Harris is the builder working in silence. But don’t mistake quiet for small. It’s been handed contracts across every layer of the missile-tracking satellite program. Think of L3Harris as the scaffolding of the entire Golden Dome structure — unseen, but critical.
And if Golden Dome goes full steam, L3Harris may not stay quiet much longer.
Trump’s Golden Dome pitch isn’t subtle. It’s massive, muscular, and meant to make America “impenetrable.” Whether or not it flies politically, the defense sector is already moving — and Lockheed, RTX, Palantir, and L3Harris are standing right where the money’s about to land.
Investors can use TipRanks’ Stocks Comparison tool to evaluate all four stocks. From the image below, it’s clear that L3Harris has the most bullish consensus rating. Analysts consider LHX a Strong Buy, while the others are rated as Moderate Buys or Holds. Click on the image below to learn more.
