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NDTV
04-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Trump Plans To Test 'Golden Dome' Missile System In 2028 Ahead Of Elections
The US Department of Defence plans to conduct the first major test of the Golden Dome missile defence system ahead of the 2028 US presidential elections. The test is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028 and will be known as FTI-X, short for Flight Test Integrated, a defence official told CNN. "They want a win to point to in November [2028]," the official added, referring to the presidential election. "And DoD wants to avoid anything they perceive will slow them down." The test will involve multiple components of the Golden Dome system, sensors, interceptors, and command technologies, working in coordination to engage incoming threats. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is leading the effort. The timeline matches Donald Trump's public commitment in May to complete the system within three years. "Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world," he said at the time. The official added that the three-year timeline was particularly ambitious. The US has explored space-based missile intercepts for decades without building an operational system. "It's still a hard problem, and technically very risky," the official said. "The possible number of satellites needed to achieve a probability of engagement success is going to be very high, given the time and area needed to cover the continental United States." General Michael Guetlein, tapped by Trump in May to lead Golden Dome, called the space-based interceptor the program's "real technical challenge" at a recent summit. "The technology exists," he said, but questions remain over cost, scalability, and whether the industrial base can meet demand. A second source told CNN the 2028 test may only be phase one. In May, Trump said $25 billion has been allocated for the Golden Dome, though total costs may run into $175 billion. Northrop Grumman is testing space-based interceptors, and Lockheed Martin's long-range radar (recently tested in Alaska) could be part Michael Guetlein 60 days to define the system's design and 120 days for an implementation plan. Pete Hegseth scaled back the Pentagon's testing office after it began reviewing Golden Dome. SpaceX, Anduril, and Palantir are among the top contenders for the project.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘They want a win in November': Trump administration schedules first ‘Golden Dome' test ahead of 2028 election -Here's what report said
The Pentagon has scheduled its first major test of President Donald Trump's space-based Golden Dome missile defence system just before the 2028 elections, CNN reported, citing sources. This ambitious schedule aims to demonstrate the feasibility of transforming President Trump's concept of a space-based protective shield for the entire United States. This scheduling aligns with Trump's May announcement to 'have it done in three years.' "Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world," he said. A defence official informed CNN that while missile tests typically require extensive advance planning, the timing of this test in the fourth quarter of 2028 appears strategically placed. "They want a win to point to in November [2028],' the official told CNN and added, 'and DoD wants to avoid anything they perceive will slow them down.' The defence official revealed that the MDA plans to designate the test as FTI-X, where 'FTI' indicates Flight Test Integrated, encompassing the coordination of Golden Dome's various sensors and weapons systems against multiple targets. The three-year implementation presents significant challenges, considering the US has researched space-based missile interception for decades. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Average Cost To Rent A Private Jet May Surprise You (View Prices) Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo The defence official highlighted technical complexities, particularly regarding the substantial number of satellites required for effective coverage of the continental United States. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, appointed by Trump in May to oversee Golden Dome's development, addressed these challenges at a recent industry summit, focusing on the technical and economic feasibility of space-based interceptors at scale. Initial tests in 2028 may represent only the first phase, according to another source, emphasising the current focus on swift progress using existing systems to demonstrate the concept's viability for additional funding. The project's allocated budget of $25 billion, announced by Trump in May, is expected to expand significantly into hundreds of billions. Various companies are already testing relevant technologies, including Northrop Grumman's work on space-based interceptors. The Pentagon recently announced successful testing of a Lockheed Martin long-range radar system in Alaska, capable of tracking ballistic missiles from Russia and China, likely to be incorporated into Golden Dome. The industry awaits Guetlein's comprehensive system design plan. A memo signed by defence secretary Pete Hegseth outlined a 60-day deadline for initial architecture and 120 days for implementation planning. Concerns exist regarding the accelerated development approach and reduced oversight. The Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation's role was diminished after announcing its involvement in Golden Dome testing oversight. Guetlein has been granted significant autonomy in contract allocation and technology procurement, reporting directly to Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg. The programme operates outside standard Pentagon oversight procedures for major weapons systems. Multiple companies, notably SpaceX, Anduril, and Palantir, are competing for involvement, having presented directly to Hegseth, who has expressed interest in their proposals.
New York Post
03-08-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Trump admin plans first ‘Golden Dome' test of space-based missile defense system: report
Pentagon officials are aiming to test President Trump's space-based Golden Dome missile defense system to safeguard the US in the fourth quarter of 2028, according to a report. That timeframe lines up with Trump's ambitious goal to 'have it done in three years' and comes amid pitches from defense contractors to score coveted contracts to develop the cutting-edge system. 'They want a win to point to in November [2028],' a defense official told CNN. 'And DoD [Department of Defense] wants to avoid anything they perceive will slow them down.' Advertisement The test, which will be conducted by the Missile Defense Agency, is expected to be called FTI-X, which stands for 'Flight Test Integrated,' in a nod to how it will assess the Golden Dome's vast array of sensors and weapons systems, according to the report. Development of the state-of-the-art missile defense system is expected to cost about $175 billion, according to Trump, who tapped Gen. Michael Guetlein, vice chair of operations at the Space Force, to oversee the ambitious project in May. 4 President Trump wants the US to develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect the homeland from advanced attacks. Getty Images Advertisement 4 The Golden Dome system is intended to safeguard the colossal continental US. AP Congress has already allocated $25 billion in funding for the Golden Dome in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed into law last month. Military officials have explored space-based missile defense technologies for decades, including during Ronald Reagan's Star Wars program, also known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Space-based missile defense technology can be advantageous because it can help thwart an enemy missile much earlier in its trajectory than other technologies that the US currently has in its arsenal. Advertisement It can also reduce geographical barriers and catch certain types of enemy missiles at a stage when they are slower and easier to intercept. However, there are many drawbacks. The US would need to make significant technological advances to develop that system, which is likely to be very costly and could entice other countries to weaponize space. 4 Skeptics have raised questions about whether the Golden Dome can be completed on time and within the budget President Trump laid out. Getty Images The defense official called it a 'hard problem, and technically very risky,' CNN reported. Advertisement 'The possible number of satellites needed to achieve a probability of engagement success is going to be very high, given the time and area needed to cover the continental United States,' the defense official said. Plans for the test in 2028 are expected to be 'phase one' of the project. A deluge of defense contractors and other private companies have been jockeying for contracts to help develop the massive defense system. Precise details of how the Golden Dome system will function are not fully known. Trump has taken inspiration from Israel's feted Iron Dome system, which helps defend populated areas from short-range attacks. Trump's plans would encompass much more sophisticated missiles, such as ballistic and hypersonic missiles, that may potentially be fired off from much more distant locations than what Iron Dome defends against. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world,' Trump teased in May. 4 Precise details about how the Golden Dome system will function are not clear. Getty Images Guetlein has admitted that the Pentagon faces enormous challenges in successfully completing the project. Advertisement 'I think the real technical challenge will be building of the space-based interceptor,' Guetlein said at a summit last month. 'That technology exists, I believe. I believe we have proven every element of the physics, that we can make it work.' 'What we have not proven is, first, can I do it economically, and then second, can I do it at scale? Can I build enough satellites to get after the threat? Can I expand the industrial base fast enough to build those satellites?' The initiative comes amid advancements in the American space industry, with tycoons such as Elon Musk working to bring down the costs of launching satellites. The Defense Department didn't reply to a request for comment Sunday.
