Golden Dome (Iron Dome for America)

Intelligence Summary: Golden Dome (Iron Dome for America)

Node Identity: Golden Dome (also called 'Iron Dome for America') is a comprehensive missile defense program led by Gen. Guetlein. It includes a directed energy demonstration scheduled for summer 2028, explicitly including neutral particle beams (NPB) alongside lasers. The FY2027 budget request includes $452M for Golden Dome DE.

Architecture:

• Exoatmospheric interceptors above 120 km for boost-phase and midcourse defense
• Both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors solicited
• 18 prototype contracts awarded November 2025 for boost-phase space-based interceptors
• NPB is the funded DEW approach ($380M through FY2023)
• Midcourse solicitation (Dec 2025) is kinetic-only

2028 Convergence: Golden Dome is the policy driver for the 2028 Convergence — the synchronized maturation of 7+ programs in 2027-2029:

• F-47 NGAD first flight (2028)
• B-21 Raider operational delivery (2027)
• Lockheed classified Aeronautics program (2028 profitability)
• Lockheed classified MFC program (2028 profitability)
• AFRL/Golden Dome DE demonstration (summer 2028)
• Eos Atomics NBI deliveries (2028)
• Casimir Inc. MicroSparc chips (2028)

Strategic Relevance: Golden Dome is the integrating framework for the classified plasma/particle beam weapons program. The 2028 DE demonstration is the public-facing milestone for what may be a multi-component system including NPB (Antares/Eos), charge control (Digibeam), and potentially FRC/plasma weapons (Lockheed MFC).