US budget watchdog estimates Golden Dome will cost $1.2 trillion, dwarfing Pentagon estimate
The CBO estimated acquisition costs alone for the system would total just over $1 trillion, with the space-based interceptor layer and a constellation of 7,800 satellites.
Assessment
The CBO's $1.2 trillion estimate for the Golden Dome system sharply undercuts the Pentagon's projections, raising serious questions about fiscal feasibility and strategic prioritization. The massive price tag, driven largely by a space-based interceptor layer and satellite constellation, will likely intensify debate over defense spending and the trade-offs with other national security needs.