Trump and Hegseth Set to Reveal Ambitious Golden Dome Missile Defense Initiative

Trump and Hegseth Set to Reveal Ambitious Golden Dome Missile Defense Initiative

President Donald Trump is poised to unveil the Golden Dome missile defense system at 3 p.m. ET this afternoon. He will be joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Space Force Vice Chief of Operations, General Michael Guetlein, according to a U.S. official.

The Pentagon plans to present comprehensive recommendations on this multibillion-dollar project, detailing the architecture and implementation strategy for the intricate satellite network.

As part of the upcoming announcement, the Pentagon will disclose that $25 billion has been allocated from the defense budget for the coming year. However, estimates by the Congressional Budget Office suggest that the overall cost could escalate to $500 billion over a 20-year span.

Leadership and Management of the Golden Dome Project

Sources indicated that General Guetlein is likely to assume the role of lead program manager for the Golden Dome initiative. His appointment is considered crucial for steering this extensive defense project towards success.

SpaceX and Partners Take Lead in Development

Recent reports have surfaced, indicating that SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and its collaborators have emerged as frontrunners to construct a significant component of the missile defense system. SpaceX is partnering with software developer Palantir and defense tech firm Anduril on a collaborative bid.

These three companies have engaged with high-ranking officials within the Trump administration and the Pentagon to discuss their proposal. Their ambitious plan aims to deploy and launch between 400 and over 1,000 satellites designed to monitor worldwide missile movements.

Advanced Satellite Technologies to Track Threats

The proposed satellite system includes a fleet of 200 attack satellites equipped with missiles or lasers. These machines would be tasked with neutralizing threats posed by enemy projectiles. However, sources clarified that SpaceX’s involvement would not extend to the weaponization of these satellites.

A Large-Scale Defense Initiative

Trump’s directive calls for the establishment of an advanced missile defense shield intended to safeguard the United States from potential aerial assaults. This initiative is being compared to the historic Manhattan Project in terms of its scale and government collaboration.

In January, Trump signed an executive order designating Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to formulate plans for a domestic missile defense system, envisioned as an