The Congressional Budget Office estimates a Golden Dome-style missile shield could cost up to $1.2 trillion over 20 years, but it told Congress the figure is highly uncertain. The CBO said it was “impossible” to get a true cost for the system because the Pentagon has not revealed details about the envisioned architecture.
The centerpiece of the proposed architecture would be 7,800 interceptor satellites in low Earth orbit, a massive undertaking that drives the bulk of the cost. Despite the scale, the CBO analysis found the constellation could only engage 10 intercontinental ballistic missiles simultaneously, raising questions about its effectiveness against a large-scale salvo.
The cost estimate has already drawn scrutiny from both the Pentagon and lawmakers. Defense officials have not publicly endorsed the CBO assumptions, and there is no formal acquisition program yet. Critics argue the platform's limited engagement capacity makes the price tag politically untenable.
The $1.2 trillion figure spans two decades and includes development, procurement, and sustainment costs. The Pentagon has not released its own cost estimate, and the CBO acknowledges its model relies on speculative assumptions about satellite numbers and intercept rates.
Some analysts counter that the CBO analysis may be premature, as no final architecture has been selected. They note that alternative configurations, such as a mix of ground-based and space-based interceptors, could reduce costs and improve coverage.