Dating back to his first days on the campaign trail in 2015, President Donald Trump has long made bolstering America’s defenses against missile attacks one of his top military priorities. Now, his commitment to building a “Golden Dome,” which he announced in his address to Congress last week, could become the crowning achievement of his defense legacy.
Since the early years of the Cold War, ballistic missiles have posed the most significant military threat to the American homeland. In response to the nuclear menace of the Soviet Union, President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, or “Star Wars,” that laid the groundwork for the United States’ missile defense shield.
Three decades later, the missile threats facing the United States have evolved, and so too must the country’s missile defense infrastructure. Just this week, North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles after condemning joint U.S.-South Korean military drills. As I reported for AMAC Newsline earlier this year, top Pentagon brass now believe that North Korea “probably can deliver a nuclear payload to targets throughout North America while minimizing our ability to provide pre-launch warning.”
Meanwhile, China and Russia have made major advancements in hypersonic missile technology that can easily evade existing U.S. defenses, posing another serious threat to the American homeland.
“You cannot defeat what you cannot see,” General Gregory Guillot, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command, told a Senate panel earlier this year. “Our adversaries have an increasing capability of reaching us and threatening us from ranges beyond what some of our current systems can detect and track.”
At present, the United States can only defend a small fraction of its territory against the most advanced missiles. “The only U.S. airspace that’s protected from cruise missiles is a stretch of downtown Washington between the Capitol and the Pentagon, and the entire country is vulnerable to a hypersonic threat,” retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery has warned.
As one of his first actions after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order directing construction of an “Iron Dome for America.”
“The threat of attack by ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, and other advanced aerial attacks, remains the most catastrophic threat facing the United States,” the order states. “To further the goal of peace through strength, it is the policy of the United States that the United States will provide for the common defense of its citizens and the Nation by deploying and maintaining a next-generation missile defense shield.”
Then, in his address to a joint session of Congress last week, Trump asked Congress “to fund a state-of-the-art Golden Dome missile defense shield to protect our homeland, all made in the USA.”
While the first stages of the Golden Dome are still under discussion, I spoke with several experts who provided some early details on what it might look like.
For an effective and robust missile defense, the U.S. must design and build a complex network that blends satellites, dirigibles, and long-range land- and sea-based sensors to detect attacks, along with systems able to intercept and eliminate missile attacks. “Innovative solutions must engage through space and utilize near-space sensors,” one anonymous source told me.
One platform that could form a crucial foundation for the Golden Dome is the Aegis Combat System, a sophisticated integrated weapons system designed to detect, track, and destroy airborne threats, including missiles and aircraft. Currently, only around 50 U.S. Navy warships are equipped with this system. Australia, Japan, and South Korea have already made significant investments in these warships.
A land-based variant of the system known as Aegis Ashore could also become a key part of the Golden Dome. That system is only deployed in three countries today – Poland, Romania, and Japan.
Artificial intelligence (AI) could also prove useful for building the Golden Dome, but it is still in its infancy and has some serious limitations. While AI can help solve engineering problems or perform basic tasks, it cannot provide the human-level reasoning necessary to handle threats like foreign vessels entering identification zones.
The Golden Dome must also be able to defend against more than just missile threats. As the war in Ukraine has shown, drones could become especially deadly weapons in future conflicts. One government report I reviewed found that at least 4,000 drones have been launched each month by Russia and Ukraine.
Isamu Mizutani, a retired colonel in Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, told me that the United States faces a “plethora of threats” ranging from traditional missiles to “unmanned aerial vehicles and glide bombs seeking a target.”
“For the Golden Dome to endure, innovation is fundamental,” he added, emphasizing that modern militaries must remain constantly alert to emerging threats. The war in Ukraine has again proven instructive on this point, as Western defense systems initially struggled to intercept and destroy Russian glide bombs. It was only after Ukrainian forces developed jammers that they were able to redirect the Russian bombs from cities to open areas.
Military leaders and engineers will have a difficult needle to thread in building the Golden Dome. While America’s missile defense shield needs a serious upgrade, time is of the essence, and the country’s adversaries won’t be standing still.
But as Trump has repeatedly shown, he is the right leader to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Ben Solis is the pen name of an international affairs journalist, historian, and researcher.
Anyone who has paid a minimum of attention to this very subject, has seen the democrats willfully allowing our enemies to get stronger and our homeland security get weaker.
Biden by allowing an untold amount of unvetted illegals to cross our borders and sending pallets of cash to Iran has made our country unsafe. I pray for the youth, as they haven’t a clue what’s going on.
After the balloon went over America, it is (past) time to protect. Yes defending the USA is the primary mission of our federal government. Better defense is the lasting legacy we hope President Trump will attain.
No defense can be perfect, but the “Golden Dome” combined with significant retaliatory strength would protect us from most external threats. We’ll have to deal with the internal ones to be really safe.
A “Golden Dome” would be an improvement: I grew up less than 15 miles away from SAC Headquarters at Offutt AFB. When I was in elementary school, they ran periodic nuclear attack drills but, even at 8 years old, we figured out the old “Duck & Cover” under our wooden desks was kind of useless!
Hi Lieutenant,
We face multiple threats from multiple fronts. Both internally and externally. Internally, we have become both soft and complacent, as well as unfocused. Not only do we not address the internal threats in a responsible and timely manner, when identified, but we in many cases simply choose to not follow through with the necessary actions that would resolve or at least mitigate the situation. Simply look around you to see some of the myriad examples of the internal threats they exist internally today.
As for the potential external threats on the horizon from multiple adversaries, that requires a multi-layered approach that I see very few people discussing in print or the media. Most of our military leaders are still talking about simple expansion of existing cruise missiles or other conventional weaponry. That glorified Band-Aid approach simply won’t work as a number of weapons experts and even the Pentagon brass have pointed out numerous times in the last couple of years.
The solution lies in a number of advanced weapons platforms that both the Obama and Biden administrations have intentionally shutdown and abandoned in the last 15 to 17 years, along with significant upgrades to our surveillance satellite systems. We literally have stood still for almost 20 years, while our global adversaries have steadily advanced with weapons systems we currently cannot defend against.
As an example, a multi-warhead hypersonic missile capable of mach 6, 7 or 8 with a guidance system capable of evading conventional interceptor missiles, cannot be shot down with any high probability by what the author is referencing in the above article. The Pentagon has already stated as much several times already. So, the paragraph above stating “For an effective and robust missile defense, the U.S. must design and build a complex network that blends satellites, dirigibles, and long-range land- and sea-based sensors to detect attacks, along with systems able to intercept and eliminate missile attacks. “Innovative solutions must engage through space and utilize near-space sensors,” one anonymous source told me.” is just blowing smoke up you know what of the American public.
As for your historical reference, that is why the Left in this country stopped teaching real history in our schools decades ago. An ignorant population is far easier to control and less likely to ask serious questions about why things are being done the way they are. An ignorant population is also more likely NOT to see the serious threats around them, both internally and externally, until it is far too late to do anything about them.
Interesting article. Biden said Trump and MAGA are the most dangerous threat to America. Trump says a missile attack is the most dangerous threat to America since we are not capable of detecting them. Did you feel safer under Biden by eliminating 77 million people? Or Trump who is protecting us from an attack of our enemies. The autopen under Biden was not available to protect us. Too busy sending money for trans causes overseas.
When it comes to national security, our lack of manufacturing assets in this country are equally concerning. If we get into a war with China, our inability to generate a wartime production capability could be our Achilles’ heel.
Sounds like a good objective but how are we going to pay for it? I think a more reasonable approach would be to increase our offensive capabilities. Build a new class of ballistic missile submarines more capable and more stealthy than the Ohio class and have enough of them that they could completely destroy any country that launched a nuke against us and have them always deployed and in position to strike any adversary.
Sadly, they stopped teaching real history decades ago.
The nightmare never ends, my main concern is future generations of Americans, especially for our grandchild, and neices and nephew ! It seems the nightmare of the cold war is still still haunt us!
That’s because our “real” history is no longer taught in our public schools.
Important article you wrote here Ben – Well Done ! Lieutenant Beale is right about the internal enemy being the biggest threat . That enemy within is both political and non – political. By non – political I am referring to the barbarian element loose here in the United States of America. They could also be called the barbarian, criminal , devils who can be compared to the Charles Manson Gang of evil doers in the 1960’s. The Marxists tactics can be recognized and that is in favor of those of us who value and respect the foundation of this Nation. Regarding the external enemy – it would be good to strengthen relationships with countries like Taiwan ,the Philippines, South Korea, and Israel . Keep up with defense technology, at all levels. And it was mentioned in the article about the Aegis system and that some U.S.Navy ships had . That combat system designed to detect and track airborne threats with the ability to knock out enemy airborne threats. It would be interesting to see if at least some merchant ships could be fitted with such a system as well. It would be a good move if that could be done.. Having knowledge of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 would be a good place to start improving the knowledge of history for those in need of that. The strategy involved, the international law concepts , it would add to a spirit of readiness and that would help to bring about improvements at all levels. To encourage developing a high level of intelligence, thinking in terms of applying courage whenever needed to set things right when good is challenged by evil, and practicing being responsible and resourceful are ways to keep this Country free.
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Is it really a Good Idea to publish specific information about the Golden Dome? I realize ‘the enemy’ probably has the info, but it seems like a better idea to be low key until it’s completed? Less chance of interference?
I think you are correct.
I hope all goes through for a much needed defense updated.system to protect our country I do believe that President Trump can get it done. President Trump wants us to be safe and will push to get a better defense system here.
The enemy within are indubitably the democrats! Anything remotely connected to Trump, no matter how small or how great, they will fight and try to discredit, so ingrained is their deep hatred of President Donald Trump. America is blessed to have Elon Musk who together with Trump will undoubtedly achieve the goal of an IRON DOME over the USA.The good Lord brought this 2 GIANTS together and inspired them to come together and work together “for such a time as this”!
The suggestion from Donald Trump of building a space based defense system, called the “Golden Dome”, is shear quackery. One more poorly thought out scheme from the conman, Donald Trump.
Comparisons to the Iron Dome, similar to what a small country like Israel has, is ludicrous. Israel’s system does not defend against intercontinental super-sonic nuclear missiles that would be needed for the US. Missles that are 50-100x faster than what Israel currently defends against.
But in the final analysis, a number of highly regarded scientists and engineers, that have worked in this field, have said such a system could be easily defeated, and would cost the US well more than a trillion dollars…..with only minimal success.
This is a summary (from the magazine of concerned scientists) about trump’s proposed boondoggle: Don’t trust politicians to make a technical evaluation, about its viability, of such a complicated system. Trust scientists and engineers that work in this field.
”Longstanding US policy has been to focus on defense against a small number of missiles from a non-peer state like North Korea because trying to build a defense against the missile arsenals of an advanced state like Russia is technically unachievable, economically ruinous and strategically unwise. Russia and China already appear to be building new types of weapons with the purpose of defeating or avoiding missile defenses. Missile defenses are not a useful or long-term strategy for keeping the US safe from nuclear weapons.”
Oh, and a primary beneficiary of any such missle defense system would be Trump’s chief financial contributor to his election campaign, Elon Musk. That presents a huge conflict of interest.
The biggest threat to Our Country is the Dem/Socialists-Communists, everyday they try even Dem Judges try to stop President Trumps agenda to Make America Safe.
I really wish that people would stop calling the SDI “Star Wars“. That was a smear put out by libtards to try to mock it and Reagan. Using “Star Wars” instead of, or in addition to “SDI” continues the liberal mockery.
Needed long over due Reagens SDI plan
I see this issue as one of the effects of our polititians doing what they do, or don’t do. While they build their little kingdoms and power bases, the real needs of America are left unattended. This spans the whole spectrum of how to protect the Republic, serve the people and preserve the Union. While they dance around our enemies grow, improve and expand their own capacities….the best our leaders seem to be able to do is watch. Could be the end.
Perhaps, but we need to prepare for all likely threats.
Seems to work for Israel.
I find it little wonder that the author of this piece uses a fake name. This “Golden Dome” idiocy is just that, idiotic. The Iron Dome we bought for Israel is of course “state of the art” as far as our tech skills go. Our bosses in Israel would have us gift them no less. However the Iron Dome has been found to be pretty porous and that against anything but true state of the art incoming rocketry. In Ukraine every single type of anti missile defense system we gifted our Nazi friends there with has proven to not even be able to protect itself much less any target the Russians wish to strike. We are also talking EXPENSIVE. Each Patriot Missile sent airborne costs hundreds of thousands and its destroyed afterward operating batteries cost tens of millions.
I have an idea for our Chief Carnival Barker. Why not develop Americas diplomatic skills so we could never find ourselves in a position to need some multi trillion dollar “Golden Dome” boondoggle that will only bring smiles to shareholders of outfits like RTX and Lockheed Martin? Mr. Trump ran on ending forever wars and his voters should remind the man of that fact.