The Pentagon has scheduled its first major test of the multibillion-dollar Golden Dome missile defense system for just before the 2028 election, according to two sources familiar with the matter, setting an aggressive deadline for military officials to prove they can turn President Donald Trump’s vision for a space-based shield that can protect the entire US into a reality.

Space Force Gen. Mike Guetlein will oversee President Donald Trump's Golden Dome project, which seeks to defend the U.S. from large-scale attacks from Russia, China and other rivals

As a direct report to the deputy secretary of defense, Guetlein has authority to bypass competitive hiring procedures as he builds his Golden Dome team.

The Golden Dome, first proposed by President Donald Trump in May, is a multi-layered missile defense system that will protect the United States from aerial threats such as ballistic missiles and

President Donald Trump is hoping for a spectacular display of military strength as a testament to his administration’s successes ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. The White House is looking to schedule its first major tests of the highly ambitious,