An afternoon appearance by President Donald Trump alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Space Force Vice Chief of Operations General Michael Guetlein is set to reshape U.S. national security plans.
According to Fox News, a sweeping new missile defense initiative, branded the "Golden Dome," will be formally announced at 3 p.m. ET, with the Pentagon releasing its recommendations for a multibillion-dollar project intended to safeguard Americans from foreign aerial threats.
The plan outlines a major U.S. missile defense expansion focused on launching hundreds, possibly over a thousand, satellites to detect and track missile threats. Around 200 of these satellites will be equipped to intercept and destroy incoming missiles. The estimated cost starts at $25 billion from next year’s defense budget and could reach up to $500 billion over 20 years.
Ambitious Scope and Key Players
President Trump’s executive order in January tasked Hegseth with developing a next-generation missile shield for the United States, describing the initiative as an “Iron Dome for America.” The Pentagon is set to unveil the initial draft architecture, which insiders say will require a government-wide effort on the scale of the Manhattan Project.
The system’s complexity and scale have drawn interest from more than 180 companies. Fox News reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX, together with software firm Palantir and defense technology company Anduril, have emerged as frontrunners to build key components of the system. While SpaceX and its partners are slated to handle satellite deployment and tracking, weaponization of the satellites is expected to be managed by other contractors.
General Michael Guetlein, Space Force’s Vice Chief of Operations, is expected to be named as the lead program manager. The Pentagon’s recommendations will guide the rollout and coordination of this immense technological undertaking.
Manhattan Project-Level Effort Required
The scale of the Golden Dome has prompted U.S. defense officials to compare it to the Manhattan Project, the historic World War II effort that produced the first atomic bomb. The new defense system will rely on a constellation of advanced satellites for comprehensive global missile detection and interception.
Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and cost of such an undertaking. The Congressional Budget Office estimates costs could balloon up to $500 billion over the next two decades, far exceeding the initial $25 billion allocation. Questions linger over whether the U.S. government and private sector have the capacity and coordination to realize such an ambitious vision within budget and on schedule.
Proponents argue that the stakes—protecting the U.S. from missile and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks—justify the size and urgency of the investment. Military historian William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., emphasized the existential threat posed by EMP weapons in an interview with Fox News Digital, highlighting the critical nature of the Golden Dome mission.
Private Sector and Pentagon Collaboration
SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril have held high-level meetings with the Trump administration and Pentagon officials to pitch their proposals. Their plan involves launching a satellite network capable of tracking global missile launches in real time, with a dedicated fleet of attack satellites to intercept incoming projectiles.
A Pentagon official told Reuters that SpaceX and its partners would not manage the weaponization of the satellites, which remains a sensitive and potentially controversial aspect of the program. Instead, the focus for these companies will be on the technical foundation: satellite launches, sensor networks, and rapid data processing. The Pentagon’s outreach to over 180 companies underscores the scale and urgency of the project.
Criticism and Questions Over Cost and Effectiveness
Not all voices are supportive. Critics from both political parties and within the defense community question the practicality and fiscal responsibility of the project. Some note the chequered history of large-scale military technology programs, which often run over budget and behind schedule.
Skeptics highlight the enormous technical and logistical hurdles involved in coordinating deployments of hundreds of satellites, integrating new technologies, and ensuring cybersecurity. Others warn about the risk of escalating an arms race in space, potentially prompting adversaries to develop countermeasures.
Yet supporters, pointing to increased missile capabilities from nations such as China and Russia, argue that the security landscape has fundamentally changed. Backers insist the U.S. must move quickly to avoid falling behind.
High Stakes for National Security and Industry
The unveiling of the Golden Dome plan marks a pivotal moment for President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and General Guetlein. Their announcement signals a major escalation in U.S. efforts to defend against modern missile threats, with sweeping implications for national security and the defense industry. With its enormous budget, reliance on advanced technology, and the participation of major private sector players, the Golden Dome initiative will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike.
