Defense leaders weigh in on needs of Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project
Forty years after President Ronald Reagan first proposed the concept, defense industry leaders are now saying that the technology has finally advanced enough to build an invisible protective dome of space-based radars, missile interceptors, and laser weapons over the United States. President Donald Trump, inspired by the success of the Iron Dome missile defense system in Israel, has ordered the Defense Department to develop plans for a U.S. version, known as the “Golden Dome.”
However, the challenges of protecting the much larger landmass of the United States against long-range threats from countries like North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China are significant. Unlike Israel, which faces threats from short-range weapons, America’s adversaries possess intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons, making the project more complex.
Key questions remain unanswered, such as whether the Golden Dome will cover the entire country, including Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. military bases like Guam. Will it be capable of defending against a variety of threats, including short-range missiles, long-range missiles, unmanned aircraft, and manned aircraft?
The Department of Defense and the Office of Management and Budget are set to present a funding plan for the Golden Dome project to the White House at the end of the month. Defense industry leaders are confident that the technology exists to make the Golden Dome a reality. Raytheon CEO Phil Jasper emphasized the need for a layered defense system to address different types of threats effectively.
The U.S. already has a layered missile defense system in place, such as the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system, which uses radar to detect incoming missiles and launch interceptors. However, there are only a limited number of active Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries deployed globally, with plans for additional deployment in the future.
To build the Golden Dome, a whole-of-government effort will be required, involving the missile defense agency, Air Force, Army, Navy, Space Force, Coast Guard, and more. Defense contractors believe that the protection zone may initially focus on major cities and critical military sites before expanding to cover the entire homeland.
Experts predict that some defensive measures could be in place as early as 2026, with space-based radar systems playing a crucial role in tracking long-range threats. The Golden Dome project will require coordination and collaboration among various defense agencies, as well as innovative solutions to address evolving missile technologies.
While the challenges are formidable, defense industry leaders are optimistic about the feasibility of the Golden Dome project. By leveraging existing missile defense capabilities and developing new technologies, the United States may soon have a comprehensive defense system to protect against a range of threats. The road ahead will require significant investment and coordination, but the potential benefits of a Golden Dome are clear in enhancing national security and safeguarding the homeland.
