In the Know Doug Harned: America’s ‘Golden Dome’ Explained
Jun 24, 2025
Doug Harned, a Global Aerospace & Defense Analyst at Bernstein Research, offers a deep dive into the proposed Golden Dome defense system, designed to counter various threats. He elaborates on its technological challenges, including cost estimates and timelines, while comparing it to Israel's Iron Dome. The discussion also touches on the evolution of missile defense, the financial uncertainties, and the potential for future conflicts in space due to rising geopolitical tensions. Harned's insights reveal the far-reaching implications for America and global security.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Golden Dome's Multi-Layered Defense
- The Golden Dome is a multi-layered defense system planned to protect nearly all of the U.S. from missiles and drones.
- It uses space-based, mid-course, and terminal phase layers to intercept threats at different stages of flight.
Golden Dome Vs Iron Dome
- The Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome but is far more complex and covers a much larger area.
- It protects against a wider range of threats with multiple layers compared to Iron Dome's single ground-based layer.
Limited Deterrence Potential
- The Golden Dome will offer protection but likely won't fully deter attacks because attackers evolve countermeasures.
- Defense is more expensive and complex than offense, so traditional nuclear deterrence remains essential.