Golden Dome Chief Rejects $1.2 Trillion CBO Cost Estimate

General Michael Guetlein, leading the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, has strongly disputed a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate projecting the program's cost at $1.2 trillion over twenty years. Speaking at the Inside the Dome conference, Guetlein argued that the CBO’s analysis relies on outdated legacy acquisition models and early 2000s technology assumptions, rather than reflecting the Pentagon’s current strategy. The administration aims to leverage commercial space manufacturing, reusable launch systems, and mass production to significantly reduce costs, targeting an operational capability by summer 2028. While the White House estimates the cost at roughly $185 billion, the CBO report focused heavily on expensive space-based interceptors. Guetlein emphasized that affordability and scalability are the primary challenges, stating the project would be abandoned if it cannot be produced economically. He highlighted new Other Transaction Authority agreements with private companies as evidence of a shift away from traditional, high-cost defense procurement. The General also noted that security concerns limit public disclosure of specific architectural details, criticizing the CBO for not consulting his office directly during their assessment.