Golden Dome missile defense system

planned

The Trump administration's flagship Golden Dome missile defense system will include four layers: one satellite-based and three land-based layers with 11 short-range batteries across the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. The system architecture consists of a space-based sensing and targeting layer for missile warning and tracking, and three land-based layers consisting of missile interceptors, radar arrays, and potentially lasers. It includes a new large missile field in the Midwest for Next Generation Interceptors (NGI) made by Lockheed Martin, alongside Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Aegis systems. The system aims to shoot targets during their boost phase and field space-based interceptors for quicker interception. The last lines of defense include new radars, current systems like the Patriot missile defense system, and a new common launcher for current and future interceptors. The project faces an ambitious 2028 deadline and is estimated to cost $175 billion, with uncertainties still over the basic architecture and number of components needed.