- New analysis raises Golden Dome’s cost estimate to $1.2 trillion over 20 years
- The Space Systems Command awards other transaction authority agreements for Golden Dome space-based interceptors
- Defense officials speak about plans to integrate AI and shared updates about the development of ALPS
The Golden Dome of America was launched over a year ago, and the Department of War continues to make progress in the development of the multi-layered defense shield to protect the nation from growing air and missile threats.
While the technical details of the initiative remain scarce, defense officials have shared plans and provided crucial updates about the effort.
Hear more details about Golden Dome directly from Pentagon leaders at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. The event will convene defense officials to explore the capabilities airmen and guardians need to maintain superiority over adversaries in the air and space domains. Gen. John Lamontagne, vice chief of staff of the Department of the Air Force, has already been confirmed as a keynote speaker. Tickets are now available here.
How Much Will Golden Dome Cost?
When the administration announced Golden Dome, the project was estimated to cost $175 billion.
However, a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office found that the air and missile defense system could cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years. According to the report, acquisition costs for the Golden Dome’s ground- and space-based capabilities are estimated at $1 trillion.
The CBO revealed that the space-based interceptor layer will be the most expensive component of the missile defense system, accounting for about 70 percent of the acquisition cost and 60 percent of the entire project’s expense.
Gen. Michael Guetlein, who was appointed as the direct reporting program manager for Golden Dome, shared in March that the Pentagon has already increased the project’s cost estimate by $10 billion to $185 billion to accelerate the development of space-based capabilities, including the Space Data Network, or SDN, a multi-orbit constellation of military and commercial satellites designed to enable defense organizations to move information to ground stations and weapons platforms securely. In an April report, DefenseScoop revealed that funding for the SDN is split among various programs in the Space Force’s fiscal 2027 budget request.
Additionally, the Army and the Navy are requesting a total of $675.9 million in research and development funds in fiscal 2027 to advance the Joint Laser Weapon System, which will provide the cruise missile-killing high-energy laser capability of the Golden Dome initiative, Fast Company reported.
Golden Dome is a system of systems that will combine space-, air-, ground- and sea-based capabilities. Gain a better understanding of the Navy’s role in the initiative and hear about other defense programs, including opportunities to support American sailors, at the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Get your tickets today!
Which Companies Are Working on Golden Dome Space-Based Interceptors?
The government is relying on industry to deliver the capabilities needed to enable the missile defense shield. The Missile Defense Agency, one of the agencies working on the initiative, has created a pool of contractors under its Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense — a contract vehicle supporting the Golden Dome — to over 2,400.
The Space Systems Command also announced in April that it has awarded 20 other transaction authority agreements with the combined value of up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies to support the development of space-based interceptors for the Golden Dome project.
The Space-Based Interceptor program will build a proliferated Low Earth Orbit structure of interceptors capable of engaging with missiles through different phases of flight.
The 12 OTA awardees are:
- Anduril Industries
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
- GITAI USA
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman
- Quindar
- Raytheon
- Sci-Tec
- SpaceX
- True Anomaly
- Turion Space
Anduril’s Consortium
Anduril has assembled a team of space companies and research institutions to support the SBI program. The company said the team will integrate advanced technologies to deliver affordable, scalable systems in support of the Golden Dome initiative.
Members of the Anduril consortium include:
- Impulse Space
- Inversion Space
- K2 Space
- Voyager Technologies
- Sandia National Labs
Raytheon’s Team
Rocket Lab also announced that it is joining the SBI program through a partnership with Raytheon. SpaceNews reported that the California and New Zealand-based launch service provider will work with Raytheon to demonstrate technologies for the program.
During an earnings call, Adam Spice, chief financial officer at Rocket Lab, shared that the interceptor will have “gates that we’ve got to get through” or milestones that the companies will need to pass to advance to later phases.
The Pentagon’s Plan to Integrate AI & Autonomy Into Golden Dome
The Pentagon also intends to integrate AI into the Golden Dome system. Marcia Holmes, deputy director for Golden Dome at DOW, revealed at a February event covered by Breaking Defense that AI and autonomy are “going to play a larger role” in the program.
“Increased use of AI will allow us to parse large amounts of data and help to rapidly present options to decision-makers for the appropriate response,” the official explained.
Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, the Army’s program executive officer for missiles and space, has previously confirmed that the service is evaluating the potential use of AI to increase autonomy and reduce the manpower needed to operate the Golden Dome.
“We’re wanting to create more remotely operated systems so that we don’t have to have so many operators and maintainers associated with every single piece of equipment that’s out there,” Lozano shared in March. “We need to have more autonomously operated systems.”
Army Long-Range Persistent Surveillance Demonstration
In April, Guetlein confirmed the deployment of the U.S. Army Long-Range Persistent Surveillance, or ALPS, a Golden Dome component intended to detect cruise missiles, fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and other threats.
The ALPS, according to Army Recognition, is a passive radio frequency sensing system that will target low-altitude and low-observable targets, which are more challenging to detect for conventional radars. The system does not emit signals; instead, it uses electromagnetic emissions from external sources to provide early warning and tracking capabilities.
Get first-hand updates on Army initiatives like the ALPS at the 2026 Army Summit on June 18. The event will feature insightful keynote addresses and panel discussions on service priorities as the Army transforms into the Army of 2030. Register today to secure your seat.
Can the Pentagon Deliver Golden Dome on Schedule?
The War Department continues to target the Golden Dome’s operational capability by mid-2028.
Guetlein, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in April, told lawmakers that he has spoken with over 400 potential contractors to ensure that the capabilities needed will be delivered on time, but he also shared that plans are in place in case a component is not ready.
“If any component of the architecture cannot deliver on time, we have pathways to pivot away from that and embrace a different technology,” he revealed.
