Pete Hegseth, secretary of the Department of Defense and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, said DOD has developed a draft architecture and implementation plan for a next-generation missile defense shield called Golden Dome for America.

Golden Dome—A System of Systems

In a statement published Tuesday, Hegseth described Golden Dome as a “system of systems” that will include space-based interceptors and sensors designed to “protect our homeland from a wide range of global missile threats.”

“This historic investment builds on two of the Department of Defense’s three main objectives: rebuilding our military capability and re-establishing deterrence,” he noted.

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to build the Golden Dome for America.

According to the defense secretary, Golden Dome is being designed in collaboration with North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Space Command and other DOD stakeholders to ensure interoperability and integration with the U.S. defense architecture.

Gen. Michael Guetlein to Lead Golden Dome Project

Breaking Defense reported Tuesday that Trump selected Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations in the U.S. Space Force and a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, to lead the Golden Dome project, which will cost $175 billion.

Guetlein, the former head of Space Systems Command, called the project a “bold and aggressive approach” and noted that it was critical to “start doubling down on the protection of the homeland” against cruise missiles and other new threats.

The president expects Golden Dome to be “fully operational” by the end of his term in January 2029.

Gen. Guetlein will address an audience of first-rate GovCon execs at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31. Register now so you don’t miss what he has to say!

Industry & DOD Collaboration

“What’s exciting about this is it makes it available to everybody to participate, to compete. Big companies, mid-sized companies, small companies,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said during a briefing at the Oval Office.

According to Breaking Defense, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, noted that the missile defense project will consist of interceptors from large defense companies like Lockheed Martin and RTX’s Raytheon subsidiary.

According to a Reuters report, L3Harris Technologies, Palantir, Anduril, and SpaceX are other potential contractors for the Golden Dome initiative.