The Pentagon reported the successful testing of elements of the promising missile defense system 'Golden Dome'. According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during the tests, autonomous systems with directed energy weapons were able to detect and destroy several aerial targets. The project is considered one of the largest in the history of U.S. missile defense and is designed to protect U.S. territory from modern missile threats.
The U.S. conducted a successful test of the new missile defense system 'Golden Dome', reported the country's Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, Forbes relays.
"Today, the first test of the 'Golden Dome' project for America has concluded with complete success," he wrote on the social network X.
According to the Pentagon chief, combat directed energy weapons were used during the tests, and the dynamic defeat system autonomously detected, tracked, and destroyed several incoming threats.
Hegseth called the tests the beginning of a "new era of missile defense" and a "technological turning point" for the U.S. armed forces.
As reported by Axios, the tests of laser and microwave weapons took place at the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. The Pentagon's Chief Technology Officer, Emile Michael, was also present.
According to him, the Department of Defense has significantly increased investments in the development of directed energy technologies.
"We have significantly increased funding for scaling directed energy technologies, making it clear to industrial partners that the Department of Defense is focused on creating real solutions for the armed forces," Michael noted.
The development of such systems is taking place against the backdrop of the rapid proliferation of drones and the need to find cheaper alternatives to traditional interceptor missiles. Laser weapons are considered promising due to the low cost of a single shot and virtually unlimited ammunition supply when there is a power source.
According to specialized publications, in the budget request for the 2027 fiscal year, the Pentagon requested about $2 billion for research and development of directed energy weapons.
The 'Golden Dome' project envisions the creation of a multi-layered missile defense system capable of detecting and intercepting missiles at all stages of flight. It is expected to include a large satellite constellation that provides round-the-clock tracking of launches and real-time data transmission.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated that the system would be operational by January 2029. According to him, the main goal of the project is to protect the country from potential missile threats from China, Russia, and other states.
However, estimates of the program's cost vary significantly. The Pentagon estimates the expenses for creating the 'Golden Dome' at about $175 billion over the next ten years. However, the Congressional Budget Office believes that the total cost of the project could reach $1.2 trillion.
The tests of the 'Golden Dome' have become an important milestone in the implementation of one of the most ambitious defense programs in the U.S. Despite the successful initial results, the project still has a long way to go in development and testing. Its high cost and technological complexity are already sparking active discussions among military experts and American lawmakers.
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