Nine steps to make Golden Dome a true success
In this op-ed, former NNSA no. 2 Frank Rose lays out a series of recommendations to make Golden Dome actually succeed.
By Frank A. Rose
on June 12, 2025 at 1:46 PM
US President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the “Golden Dome,” a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Last month, President Donald Trump announced plans for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system to shield the US homeland from evolving air and missile threats. Building on his January 2025 executive order, the initiative aims to expand current defenses while exploring advanced technologies like space-based interceptors. The proposal comes amid growing concern over missile and drone threats highlighted by recent global conflicts.
While the initiative includes promising elements — such as enhanced sensor networks and investments in new and emerging technologies — it also raises serious risks. In particular, the shift toward targeting Russia and China’s strategic deterrents, and the potential deployment of space-based missile defense interceptors, is a game changer on a geopolitical level. In addition, there are practical concerns about how to produce the number of interceptors needed to fulfill a Golden Dome vision.
If not managed carefully, the initiative could destabilize global security, strain budgets, and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space.
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/06/nine-steps-to-make-golden-dome-a-true-success/
