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Missiles

Alaska's Golden Dome Act: A $23 Billion Plan to Enhance Missile Defense

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The US Senate is considering the Golden Dome Act, a proposal that aims to strengthen America's missile defense system by investing almost $23 billion in new military projects in Alaska. The act, cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and other lawmakers, seeks to implement a presidential executive order that calls for the creation of an extended missile defense system modeled after Israel's Iron Dome. This system would be capable of protecting the United States against long-range missiles fired by foreign countries. The act also authorizes additional funding for existing missile defense projects, including the Long Range Discrimination Radar and the Upgraded Early Warning Radar.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Golden Dome Act aims to spend almost $23 billion on new military projects in Alaska, including the development of an extended missile defense system.
  • The proposed system, modeled after Israel's Iron Dome, would protect the United States against long-range missiles fired by foreign countries.
  • The act authorizes additional funding for existing missile defense projects, including the Long Range Discrimination Radar and the Upgraded Early Warning Radar.
  • Sen. Dan Sullivan has been a proponent of America's current limited missile defense system, which includes a large radar system in the Aleutian Islands and missiles based in underground silos at Fort Greely.
  • The effectiveness of the current system has been questioned, with tests showing that it is not effective against significant numbers of missiles or when decoys or other countermeasures are used.
  • The act includes funding for new missiles and missile silos at Fort Greely and for the planning, site selection, and construction of an Aegis Ashore facility in Alaska.
  • The Aegis missile system is typically used by the U.S. Navy, and proponents have called for ground-based Aegis missiles as well.
  • Additional funding may be needed to complete the Aegis Ashore project, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.

Statistics:

  • $23 billion: The total amount authorized for new military projects in Alaska under the Golden Dome Act.
  • $460 million: The amount earmarked for new missiles and missile silos at Fort Greely.
  • $500 million: The amount earmarked for the planning, site selection, and construction of an Aegis Ashore facility in Alaska.
  • $25 billion: The amount earmarked for missile defense in the under-construction budget reconciliation bill, known as the Big, Beautiful Bill.
  • 2,000 kilometers: The distance the target flew off the southern coast of Alaska during Flight Test Other-26a (FTX-26a).
  • 2021: The year the Long Range Discrimination Radar was upgraded.
  • 2025: The year the first-draft text of the Golden Dome Act was posted online.

Sources:

  • (https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/goldendome_062425.pdf)
  • (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/the-iron-dome-for-america/)
  • (https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/sasc_reconciliation_overview_ja4f5ceerafu.pdf)
  • (https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/05/us-eyes-aleutian-military-revival-as-russia-china-expand-operations-near-alaska/)
  • (https://www.aps.org/publications/reports/strategic-ballistic-missile-defense)
  • (https://www.dvidshub.net/news/501400/long-range-discrimination-radar-lrdr-successfully-tracks-ballistic-missile-during-test-ftx-26a)
  • (https://alaskabeacon.com/subscribe)

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