Amid War with Iran: Trump Accelerates Development of $185 Billion “Golden Dome” The cost of the US missile defense shield, Golden Dome, has risen by $10 billion to $185 billion to speed up the development of critical space capabilities. Major contractors Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman have joined the project, which aims to expand ground-based systems with space-based elements for threat detection and neutralization. The increased funding will prioritize programs like the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) to address the urgent need for persistent surveillance against evolving threats.

• The cost of the Golden Dome missile defense shield has increased by $10 billion to $185 billion to accelerate space capability development.
• Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman are main contractors for the project.
• The project involves expanding ground-based defense systems with space-based elements for threat detection and neutralization from orbit.
• Funding will be directed towards programs like the Advanced Missile Tracking Initiative, Space Data Base, and the HBTSS.
• The HBTSS is a space sensor system designed to detect and track hypersonic and ballistic missile threats.
• The $185 billion covers a ‘target architecture’ to be delivered over the next decade.
• Directed-energy weapons and next-generation AI are identified as promising technologies for cost reduction and increased interceptor availability.