A U.S. government slide presentation shows that the Trump administration’s Golden Dome next-generation missile defense shield will include four layers: one satellite-based platform and three land-based missile systems, Reuters reported Tuesday.
The missile defense shield is expected to cost $175 billion and be completed by 2028.
According to the slides, one of the layers will be a space-based sensing and targeting layer for missile warning and tracking, and missile defense. Meanwhile, the three ground-based layers consist of radar arrays, missile interceptors and lasers.
The slides presented to 3,000 defense contractors in Huntsville, Alabama, show 11 short-range missile batteries located across the continental U.S., Hawaii and Alaska.
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Missile Field for Next Generation Interceptors
The presentation highlighted a new large missile field for Next Generation Interceptors, which would be part of the “upper layer” alongside the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, Aegis systems.
Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer of NGI missiles and THAAD Aegis systems.
The slides also showed the “under layer” and “limited area defense,” which will include the Patriot missile defense system, new radars and a common launcher of existing and future interceptors against all types of threats.
Gen. Michael Guetlein Confirmed as Golden Dome Program Lead
In July, the Senate confirmed by voice vote Gen. Michael Guetlein, most recently vice chief of space operations at the U.S. Space Force and a 2025 Wash100 awardee, as direct reporting program manager for the Golden Dome project.
With his confirmation, Reuters reported that Guetlein has 30 days to establish a team, another two months to develop an initial system design and 120 days to launch a full implementation plan for the project.
