"It's a generational investment in the security of America and Americans," said Hegseth.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. The Golden Dome plan aims to cover the country with three layers of air defenses,

Trump’s plan for a “Golden Dome” to protect the United States from long-range missiles was at least partly inspired by Israel’s multitiered missile defenses.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated this month that just the space-based components of the Golden Dome could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years.