The Pentagon has increased the estimated cost of its so-called Golden Dome missile defence shield to US$185 billion (A$260.3 billion), up $10 billion from earlier projections, as officials accelerate space-based capabilities central to the system’s design.
The revised figure, disclosed by Space Force General Michael Guetlein at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Arlington, Virginia, reflects a shift in emphasis toward orbital sensors, data networks and tracking systems as the U.S. responds to the rapid expansion of hypersonic missile arsenals.
Guetlein said the additional funding would bring forward key programs and support a full “objective architecture” to be delivered over the next decade.
According to a conference summary published by McAleese & Associates, the funding increase will prioritise three initiatives: The Advanced Missile Tracking Initiative, a space-based data transport network, and the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS).
The latter is designed to detect and track both hypersonic and ballistic missile threats from orbit, providing persistent overhead surveillance.
Golden Dome is envisioned as a layered homeland defence system combining upgraded ground-based interceptors, sensors and command-and-control infrastructure with new space-based elements capable of detecting, tracking and potentially countering incoming threats.
The architecture includes advanced satellite constellations and, potentially, orbital weapons systems that remain under debate.
Guetlein said the additional $10 billion was directed toward accelerating space capabilities already in development with the United States Space Force.
“We were asked to accelerate some space capabilities,” he said, adding that the revised budget reflects those requirements rather than a fundamental redesign of the system.
The program has also expanded its industrial base, with Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation and Northrop Grumman joining as prime contractors within a nine-company consortium responsible for developing the command-and-control network.
Guetlein described this system as the program’s “secret sauce”, enabling integration across multiple military services and agencies.
Independent cost estimates remain significantly higher.
The Congressional Budget Office has projected the program could cost up to $542 billion, while analysis by the American Enterprise Institute has suggested a potential range between $250 billion and $2.4 trillion.
However, Guetlein has rejected those assessments, arguing they incorrectly apply the cost structure of expeditionary battlefield systems to a homeland defence mission.
“They’re not estimating what I’m building,” he said, adding that domestic systems can leverage existing infrastructure and do not require the same level of hardening as overseas deployments.
Despite the revised budget, senior officials acknowledge significant technical and financial risks.
Guetlein identified space-based interceptors as the most challenging component due to issues of scalability and affordability.
He said emerging technologies, including directed energy weapons and artificial intelligence, could reduce long-term interception costs and improve system capacity.
The Pentagon has already secured around $23 billion in initial funding through congressional appropriations, but lawmakers have raised concerns about transparency.
In legislative reporting, members of Congress cited limited detail on cost projections, timelines and performance metrics, underscoring ongoing scrutiny of one of the most ambitious missile defence programs in decades.
