Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. is speeding up work on its missile defense system called the Golden Dome. This system aims to protect against advanced missile threats and is expected to be operational by the end of President Trump's term. Additionally, he mentioned that the U.S. plans to test nuclear weapons delivery systems in response to actions by other countries.
Key Facts
- The Golden Dome is a missile defense project aimed at countering advanced threats like ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles.
- Over 1,000 companies might be part of building the Golden Dome, which is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome.
- The Golden Dome project could cost several hundred billion dollars and has faced delays due to a government shutdown.
- President Trump linked the Golden Dome to the Strategic Defense Initiative from the 1980s, also known as "Star Wars."
- Current U.S. missile defenses aren't fully capable of stopping extensive missile attacks from countries like Russia or China.
- The U.S. plans to conduct nuclear weapons delivery system tests, matching the actions of other unnamed countries.
- The U.S. has not ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, which bans nuclear explosions.
- No full nuclear tests have been done by the U.S., Russia, or China since the 1990s.
