Space Force Vice Chief Gen. Guetlein To Lead Project

President Donald Trump and  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the selection of an architecture and the initiation of planning to build a state-of-the-art missile defense shield called Project Golden Dome to intercept threats from space such as missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons.

The system will involve deployment of advanced technologies across land, sea, and space to include space-based sensors and interceptors that will fully integrate into existing defense systems. The President says he expects it to be fully operational by the end of his term in January 2029.

President Trump also announced that U.S. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein will lead the project, which some say may lead to criticisms similar to those faced by President Ronald Reagan’s failed “Star Wars” project that intended to achieve the same goal.

However, SecDef Hegseth said the project has a much higher probability of success now simply because technology has advanced exponentially in the intervening 40 years.

He said, “The technology wasn't there. Now it is. And you're following through to say we will protect the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear.”

“Some U.S. technology in space such as space-based sensors and air and missile defense exist today, but all of the systems comprising the Golden Dome architecture will need to be seamlessly integrated. Golden Dome will be fielded in phases, prioritizing defense where the threat is greatest.” he added.

The plan, which intends to create a network of satellites numbering perhaps in the hundreds to detect, track, and intercept incoming threats, faces scrutiny and funding challenges.

FMI:  www.spaceforce.com/