Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet shares how defense contracting companies are working to implement President Donald Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield for the United States. Taiclet described the plan as a “fantastic vision” for the country, emphasizing the need for collaboration among defense contractors, tech firms like Microsoft, and industry leaders to develop the system by the end of Trump’s term.
Trump initially unveiled the plan at the White House, presenting it as a comprehensive missile defense system that would leverage space-based sensors, interceptors, and other advanced technologies. This system, estimated to cost around $175 billion, aims to protect the United States against hypersonic and other advanced aerial threats. The plan has drawn strong reactions from countries like North Korea, China, and Russia, which have publicly condemned the proposal, citing its potential implications for global security dynamics.
The U.S. House recently passed the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, which includes a $25 billion allocation for the Golden Dome missile defense system. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that space-based interceptors could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years, underscoring the financial scale of the project. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News co-host, praised the initiative as a “game-changing” investment, highlighting the growing threats from adversarial nations that have developed more advanced and lethal long-range weapons, including ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles.
Taiclet, while acknowledging the complexity of the project, emphasized the need for industry leaders to provide detailed feasibility assessments for the government’s requirements. He outlined the critical questions they must address, such as the geography and locations to be protected, the types of threats to counter, and the potential involvement of tech giants such as Meta and Nvidia. However, the White House has not disclosed which companies might secure the government contract for the Golden Dome system.