PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has drafted a plan for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, which includes space-based sensors, to counter advanced threats from nations like China and Russia.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, the DoD, Space Force General Michael Guetlein, General Chance Saltzman, and former Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair.
📍 Where & When: The system is planned for development in the United States, with key manufacturers from Georgia, Alaska, Florida, and Indiana. Trump expects it to be operational before his administration ends.
💬 Key Quote: Trump described the Golden Dome as “capable even of intercepting missiles launched from space, or launched from the other side of the world.”
⚠️ Impact: The system aims to counter hypersonic weapons and space-based threats, with initial funding of $25 billion, though long-term costs could exceed $500 billion.
IN FULL:
The U.S. Department of Defense has unveiled plans for a large-scale missile defense system, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” which aims to counter advanced aerial and space-based threats from adversaries like China and Russia. President Donald Trump announced the initiative, stating he expects the system to be operational before the end of his administration.
The Golden Dome would incorporate space-based sensors and is designed to intercept missiles launched from space or across the globe. Trump noted that the system would be significantly larger and more advanced than Israel’s Iron Dome, which has been operational since 2011. The U.S. system would target a broad array of threats, including hypersonic weapons and fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS).
According to Trump, Canada has expressed interest in joining the project. Former Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair confirmed this during a visit to Washington earlier this year, describing participation as being in Canada’s “national interest.”
The project will be developed entirely in the United States, with manufacturers in Georgia, Alaska, Florida, and Indiana playing key roles. The system will be managed under a centralized command, with oversight from Space Force General Michael Guetlein. General Chance Saltzman, also of the U.S. Space Force, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the mission, citing “new and emerging requirements” for space-based military operations.
Initial funding of $25 billion has been allocated, but the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates long-term costs could exceed $500 billion over the next 20 years. Other government agencies project the total fiscal impact to range from $175 billion to $542 billion.