President Donald Trump has announced a $175 billion missile defense initiative dubbed the Golden Dome, a multi-layered shield designed to protect the US from advanced threats.
The shield is aimed at thwarting incoming hypersonic missiles, drones, and space-based attacks.
Proposed by defense giant Lockheed Martin, the system aims to integrate ground and space-based technologies to detect, track, and intercept projectiles at every stage of flight, from launch to impact.
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21ST CENTURY STAR WARS
The Golden Dome revives the ambition of Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), colloquially known as “Star Wars,” but with 21st-century technology.
Lockheed Martin, the project’s lead contractor, describes it as a “Manhattan Project-scale mission” combining existing missile defense systems with next-gen innovations like space-based interceptors, AI-driven sensors, and laser weapons.
The system will deploy hundreds of satellites for real-time threat detection and leverage combat interceptors such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Aegis systems to target the incoming missiles, drones.
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HOW IT WORKS
The Golden Dome’s architecture includes:
Space-based sensors: Satellites to detect missile launches globally, even in their boost phase.
Interceptor networks: Ground- and space-based missiles to neutralise threats mid-flight.
AI-powered command systems: Rapid data analysis to coordinate responses across the defense network.
Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet emphasized the system’s scalability, stating it will integrate “the best of American industry” to counter evolving threats, including AI-driven drone swarms.
BIG BUCKS NEEDED
Trump claims the Golden Dome will be operational by January 2029, with an initial $25 billion allocated through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. However, experts question the feasibility of this timeline, given the complexity of deploying untested space-based technologies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified the system will defend against both conventional and nuclear threats, though technical specifics remain scarce.
The project has sparked debates over cost, space militarisation, and nuclear proliferation.
While Trump touted a “success rate close to 100%”, critics argue the $175 billion price tag underestimates long-term expenses, with independent analysts projecting costs exceeding $500 billion.
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Lockheed Martin’s proposal faces scrutiny for its reliance on emerging technologies, such as laser defenses, which remain in experimental stages. Meanwhile, the involvement of SpaceX—given CEO Elon Musk’s advisory ties to Trump—has raised concerns about conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, the involvement of SpaceX—given CEO Elon Musk’s advisory ties to Trump—has raised concerns about conflicts of interest
If realized, the Golden Dome would mark the first US weapon system stationed in space, reshaping global defense dynamics.
