US Space Force plans key involvement in Trump’s "Iron Dome for America" initiative

The US Space Force will be at the forefront of efforts to develop a homeland missile defence system, dubbed "Iron Dome for America," according to the service's top officer.

The initiative, announced in January by President Donald Trump, aims to create an advanced defence shield to protect the US from a range of missile threats, including hypersonic weapons, Caliber.Az reports, citing US military media outlets.

Trump's executive order outlined several space-based elements essential for the defence system, which will build upon existing programs such as the Missile Defence Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program and the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This architecture includes a network of missile warning and tracking satellites designed to enhance the nation's missile defence capabilities.

Speaking to reporters, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman emphasized the Space Force’s critical role in the development of this advanced missile defence system.

“Given the executive order’s emphasis on space systems, it’s natural the service would play a key role in its development,” Saltzman stated. He added that the Space Force has already formed an integrated planning team (IPT) to evaluate options in response to the president’s directive.

The IPT is assessing the current systems the Space Force has in development and exploring the additional capabilities necessary to meet the president’s goals. The team is also working on technical feasibility analyses and cost estimates based on existing programs and future requirements for a more advanced defence system.

The initial analysis is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, with a fast-paced timeline requiring careful prioritization, according to a senior Space Force official.

Once the IPT’s analysis is finalized, it will be shared with other key agencies, including the US Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Missile Defence Agency. Senior Department of Defense (DOD) leaders will then review the findings to determine the next steps, including which programs to initiate.

The Space Force aims to provide a clear and realistic assessment of the technology’s current status, ensuring that any new initiatives are feasible in terms of both technology and cost. “One of the worst things to do is bite off a technical challenge that you can’t solve in a reasonable cost frame, a reasonable time frame,” the official remarked, emphasizing the importance of a transparent evaluation process.

By Tamilla Hasanova