HUNTSVILLE, Ala.— At this year’s Space & Missile Defense Symposium, one topic loomed large but went unnamed: Golden Dome for America. The Trump administration’s estimated $175 billion missile defense initiative has captured industry attention, contributing to record attendance at the three-day event. Yet government officials were instructed not to mention the program by name during the conference.
Multiple speakers addressed the future of U.S. missile defense during symposium sessions, using phrases like “next-generation systems,” “advanced capabilities,” “integrated air and missile defense” and “protection of the homeland” to describe efforts aimed at countering evolving threats. But the words “Golden Dome” were notably absent.
The carefully choreographed language reflects sensitivity around the program, a signature homeland defense priority of the Trump administration, compared to the Strategic Defense Initiative of the 1980s. Golden Dome also represents the largest single investment in missile defense capabilities in decades. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive shield against hypersonic weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles and other advanced threats from adversaries including China, Russia and North Korea.
Guidance from the Pentagon directing speakers to avoid referencing the initiative by name was first reported by Politico.
The Space & Missile Defense Symposium, hosted annually by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, typically serves as a key venue for defense officials to outline priorities and engage with tbe industry. This year’s event drew record attendance, with defense contractors, government officials and military leaders gathering to discuss the future of missile defese and space-based defense systems.
Official statement from DoD
A defense official confirmed Aug. 6 in a statement to SpaceNews that the Pentagon did indeed put restrictions on what can be said publicly about Golden Dome.
“Golden Dome for America remains a strategic imperative for the Department of Defense. As we continue gathering information from industry, academia, national labs and other government agencies for support to Golden Dome for America, it would be imprudent for the Department to release further information on this program during these early stages, keeping operational security of this endeavor top of mind,” the official said.
The restrictions come as the Pentagon works to consolidate oversight of the sprawling initiative under a dedicated program office. Several industry sources told SpaceNews that there appears to be an effort to consolidate messaging under the program office led by Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein.
Guetlein, who did not appear on the SMD agenda, is scheduled to lead a dedicated “Golden Dome Industry Summit” on Aug. 7, also in Huntsville.
“We are doing our part to meet the President’s vision,” the defense official said. “The Golden Dome for America office is examining current and future solutions across the services and interagency to identify the most effective ways to modernize and quickly field the capabilities our nation needs to protect our Homeland.”
The upcoming industry summit is expected to provide more detailed guidance to defense contractors about the program’s technical requirements and acquisition timeline. The closed-door session reflects the Pentagon’s effort to balance industry engagement with operational security concerns.