Trump Signs $151 Billion Golden Dome Missile Defense Order

President Trump has signed an executive order initiating the development of the Golden Dome, a next-generation missile defense system designed to protect the U.S. homeland from aerial threats, with the Department of Defense planning to allocate up to $151 billion over ten years for this project. The Golden Dome system will rely heavily on advanced weather intelligence to optimize its defensive capabilities, addressing challenges such as cloud cover and precipitation that can affect sensor performance. This initiative draws parallels to Israel's Iron Dome, which has effectively intercepted drones and missiles amid recent exchanges with Iran, highlighting the urgent need for robust missile defense in the U.S. given threats from nations like Russia and China. Experts note that while the Golden Dome faces skepticism due to its high projected costs—potentially exceeding $500 billion—it represents a strategic effort to advance missile defense technology to counter increasingly complex threats. The Golden Dome concept echoes the ambitions of the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative but faces modern geopolitical and technical challenges as the U.S. seeks to maintain a defensive edge. The project enjoys enthusiasm from defense contractors eager to accelerate its development before the conclusion of President Trump's term in 2029.