The U.S. plans to test the "Iron Dome" system for the first time this year.

Reference News Network reported on August 12 According to a report by Bloomberg News on August 8, informed sources said that the Pentagon plans to conduct the first test of its space-based missile defense program by the end of this year, with flight tests of the unproven technology expected in 2027.

These critical steps are essential for the development of space-based missile interceptors, which are the core pillar of President Trump's $185 billion "Iron Dome" defense system.

This program is one of the most ambitious attempts to develop a space-based missile defense system since President Reagan's "Strategic Defense Initiative" (also known as "Star Wars") during the Cold War. Reagan's plan ultimately failed due to enormous costs, technical challenges, and insufficient political support.

Today, the Pentagon states that the U.S. needs this technology more than ever to address the growing threats from nuclear-armed nations.

Michael Guetlein, a space officer overseeing the "Iron Dome" program, stated in a congressional hearing in April this year: "The new generation of advanced aerial and missile threats is unprecedented in speed, quantity, and lethality, currently putting the U.S. homeland at risk."

No country has deployed space-based interceptors yet. These are spacecraft that operate at high speeds in low Earth orbit, designed to track and detect incoming ballistic missiles and intercept them within minutes as they travel through space toward their intended targets.

In April of this year, the U.S. Space Force announced that it had signed contracts with 12 companies, including SpaceX, Anduril Industries, and Lockheed Martin, to develop prototypes of these orbital interceptors.

Informed sources revealed that the Space Force's prototype project has identified three types of interceptors needed: boost-phase interception shortly after missile launch; mid-course interception during the missile's flight in space; and glide-phase interception as the missile re-enters the atmosphere. According to anonymous sources, the project also includes contracts for launch systems, ground support, and the integration of future technologies.

Pentagon officials have established a prize competition, allowing teams to compete for funding whenever they achieve milestone breakthroughs in the development process leading to the final prototype.

Sources say these milestone breakthroughs include one ground test, two space flight tests, and an interception test in 2029. During this process, the military will eliminate participating companies based on cost, speed, and performance.

The government has not disclosed the prize amounts for each milestone breakthrough. However, one informed source revealed that companies developing mid-course interceptors could receive approximately $60 million if they complete ground testing by the end of this year.

Informed sources indicated that, at least for some companies, this ground test will require transmitting data from sensors to the interceptor and demonstrating the spacecraft's propulsion system.

The aforementioned sources stated that the second and third phases involve flight tests, where competing teams need to launch the interceptors to the target area in space. Testing is planned for 2027 and 2028.

One source revealed that in the first flight test, companies developing mid-course interceptors could win approximately $126 million, and the team that completes the test first will receive an additional $40 million reward. This source stated that afterward, the Space Force may choose only three out of five teams to continue advancing.

Informed sources indicated that in the final test planned for 2029, companies must demonstrate that their space-based interceptors can detect and intercept test targets. Subsequently, the U.S. Space Force will seek to procure systems from some teams that pass the final test by 2030.

Nevertheless, experts still question whether the current efforts will repeat the mistakes of the "Star Wars" program.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that a space-based interceptor network initiated to counter a few missiles will cost over $700 billion. Guetlein has stated that he has only about $185 billion available for the entire project.

"How expensive and challenging this system is will soon become apparent," said Laura Grego, senior director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "I find it hard to imagine it won't collapse under its own weight, as it has every time before." (Translated by Hu Lin)