Pentagon schedules first major test for Golden Dome missile defense system

The Pentagon will conduct its first major test of the Golden Dome missile defense system before the 2028 election. This ambitious timeline aims to showcase a space-based shield envisioned by President Trump, who pledged to complete it within three years. The Missile Defense Agency plans to perform the test, named FTI-X, in late 2028, with the hope of providing a “win” for the administration.

The project could cost at least hundreds of billions, despite an initial allocation of $25 billion. There are concerns about the program’s oversight and whether it can meet its testing requirements. Among the companies vying for contracts are SpaceX, Anduril, and Palantir.