Senate Confirms Space Force General to Lead $13B 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Project

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed Space Force Gen.

Michael Guetlein as the first director of the Pentagon's ambitious 'Golden Dome' missile defense initiative. The project, backed by President Trump, has secured an additional $13 billion in congressional funding and aims to create a comprehensive shield to protect the continental United States from ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missile threats. Gen. Guetlein, a former Missile Defense Agency executive, will have broad authority to rapidly build his team and deliver a baseline architecture for the system within 60 days. The initiative is seen as a response to growing threats from countries like China and Russia, though some experts question its technical feasibility.

The confirmation has been widely praised by lawmakers and defense officials.