The Trump administration’s proposed Golden Dome defense shield will consist of four integrated layers, one space-based and three on land, and 11 short-range missile batteries, according to a U.S. government presentation as reported by Reuters.
The space-based sensing and targeting layer will be for missile warning and tracking as well as missile defense. The land-based layers would consist of missile interceptors, radar arrays, and potentially lasers.
The presentation mentioned a new large missile field possibly in the Midwest for Next Generation Interceptors made by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT). NGIs are being developed for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system – which defends the U.S. against ballistic missiles.
The U.S. already operates GMD launch sites in southern California and Alaska. The new proposed site would be part of the Golden Dome’s “upper layer,” alongside Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Aegis systems made by Lockheed (NYSE:LMT).
The last lines of defense – the “under layer” and “Limited Area Defense” – would include new radars, current systems like the Patriot, and a new “common” interceptor launcher.
The presentation – titled “Go Fast, Think Big!” – was shown to 3,000 contractors at an event in Alabama last week. President Donald Trump wants the Golden Dome to be fully operational by the end of his term in January 2029.
The project draws inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome, but would be significantly bigger given the geography it would need to cover. It’s unclear how many launchers, interceptors, and ground stations would be needed for the system.
The Trump administration said the project would likely cost $175B, although Congressional Budget Office said the price tag could go up to $542B. Congress appropriated $25B for the Golden Dome in Trump’s tax and spending bill.