Trump Names Space Force General to Lead $175B Golden Dome Defense

President Donald Trump has appointed Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, to lead the development of the Golden Dome missile defense system, a multilayered project aimed at protecting the U.S. from ballistic, hypersonic, and nuclear missile threats. The $175 billion system, inspired by Israel's Iron Dome but significantly more expansive, aims to integrate ground- and space-based interceptors and sensors to detect and neutralize missile attacks at multiple stages, including launch and midcourse phases. Trump has set a goal for the system to be operational by the end of his term in 2029, although some officials suggest initial capabilities may be available sooner. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the total cost could range from $161 billion to as high as $831 billion over 20 years, with an initial $25 billion proposed for funding. The program includes potential involvement from private companies like SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril, and has attracted interest from Canada as a partner. Pentagon officials describe Golden Dome as a complex "system of systems" that will require coordination across agencies and possibly international cooperation to counter emerging threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.