Forward Edge-AI and Skygate Technologies Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Golden Dome Missile Defense

Forward Edge-AI to Introduce Skygate’s Technologies to United States Government Programs and Welcome Skygate’s Establishment of a San Antonio, Texas Office

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Forward Edge-AI, prime contractor on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract today announced the award of a subcontract to Skygate Technologies Inc., a leading Japanese defense technology company backed by JAFCO, Japan’s leading venture capital firm, alongside MUFG and major Japanese financial institutions. Under the agreement, Skygate will contribute its expertise in command and control, data fusion, and zero-trust security across the space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum domains to strengthen allied missile defense capabilities.

Forward Edge-AI will introduce Skygate’s technologies to United States Government stakeholders through the MDA SHIELD contract vehicle and other government programs. Forward Edge-AI will also invite Skygate to establish a United States office based alongside Forward Edge-AI in San Antonio, Texas, creating a permanent foothold for Skygate’s growth in the American defense market.

Golden Dome is a next generation, multi domain missile defense architecture designed to protect the United States homeland and allied nations against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats, as well as hybrid attacks. The MDA SHIELD contract is a ten-year, $151 billion acquisition vehicle that accelerates the development, prototyping, and deployment of advanced technologies across nineteen Statement of Work areas, among them artificial intelligence enabled sensing and data fusion, cybersecurity and zero trust architectures, and hypersonic and missile tracking.

With Japan’s participation, the partnership between Forward Edge-AI and Skygate advances joint development of next generation defense technologies, supports integration into United States missile defense architecture, and lays groundwork for long term cooperation on Indo Pacific security priorities. Leaders from both companies described the agreement as a natural extension of the trust and alliance built between the United States and Japan over decades of defense cooperation. Aspiration Corporation, as Forward Edge-AI’s strategic partner in Japan, will continue to promote and support the participation of Japanese companies in the Golden Dome initiative through Commercial Solutions Offerings (CSO) as subcontractors of Forward Edge-AI, helping bring Japan’s advanced technologies and capabilities to U.S. defense programs and further strengthen U.S.-Japan defense cooperation.　

Eric Adolphe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Forward Edge-AI, said: “Forward Edge-AI is honored to welcome Skygate Technologies to our SHIELD team. Skygate brings deep technical excellence in command and control, data fusion, and zero-trust security across space, cyber, and electromagnetic spectrum operations, along with a proven commitment to national security that strengthens our shared mission to protect the United States and its allies. We look forward to supporting Skygate’s growth in the American market and to building a partnership rooted in mutual respect and long-term trust.”

Lieutenant General Ross Coffman, President of Forward Edge-AI, added: “Japan stands among America’s most valued allies, and this partnership marks a meaningful step in strengthening our two nations’ shared defense capabilities. Skygate’s technical depth complements our mission under the SHIELD contract, and we are proud to help introduce Skygate’s capabilities to United States Government partners while welcoming Skygate to San Antonio.”
Takanori Awatsu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Skygate Technologies Inc., said: “Skygate's business rests on two principles: real-time interoperability among allied forces, and each nation's sovereign control of its own decisions. Both shape what we build, from Alayasiki, our next-generation digital defense platform, to our zero-trust security technology. Winning this Golden Dome subcontract is a significant step toward the closer allied cooperation Skygate is working to build, and toward our growth in the American market. We are deeply grateful for the trust Forward Edge-AI has placed in our team, and we look forward to working closely with them to advance the Japan-U.S. alliance through concrete technological cooperation.”

Hiro Ishizuka, Chief Executive Officer of Aspiration Corporation, said: “As Forward Edge-AI’s strategic partner in Japan, Aspiration Corporation is honored to support this milestone collaboration. Integrating Japan’s advanced capabilities into the Golden Dome architecture marks a vital step forward for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation. We remain fully committed to connecting leading Japanese technology companies with U.S. defense initiatives, strengthening our shared security and accelerating industrial partnership across the alliance

About Forward Edge-AI
Forward Edge-AI is a San Antonio, Texas based defense technology company and prime contractor on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract, a ten-year, $151 billion acquisition vehicle supporting the United States Golden Dome missile defense architecture. The company’s mission is to deliver mass market solutions that enhance the safety and security of the free world, with capabilities spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space systems, and advanced sensing.

About Skygate Technologies Inc.
Skygate Technologies is a Tokyo-based defense technology startup specializing in the defense and security domains, backed by JAFCO, Japan’s leading venture capital firm, alongside MUFG and major Japanese financial institutions. Guided by its mission of “Solving existential challenges” the company develops and delivers Alayasiki, its next-generation digital defense platform for national defense, and zero-trust security products for enterprises, helping nations, enterprises, and organizations address their most complex security challenges. For more information, visit https://www.skygate-tech.com/

About Aspiration Corporation
Aspiration Corporation is a Tokyo-based cybersecurity and defense technology solutions provider. As the strategic partner of Forward Edge-AI in Japan, Aspiration bridges advanced international technologies with Japan’s industrial and government sectors. The company specializes in next-generation cybersecurity, quantum-resistant encryption solutions, counter-drone systems, and AI-driven threat intelligence. Aspiration is dedicated to enhancing national security and business resilience while supporting the participation of Japanese excellence in global defense initiatives.

Eric Adolphe
Forward Edge-AI, Inc.
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