Technology

Elon Musk’s SpaceX will reportedly receive $2 billion for Trump’s Golden Dome project — system to include up to 600 satellites to track fast-moving airborne targets

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Oct 31, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

SpaceX is set to receive $2 billion for President Trump's Golden Dome project, involving up to 600 satellites for tracking fast-moving airborne targets. This initiative adds to SpaceX's existing satellite projects with the Pentagon, including Milnet and a ground-tracking system. While the project's total cost is estimated at $175 billion, SpaceX's involvement is just a small part of the larger defense network, with other companies like Anduril Industries and Lockheed Martin also participating. The Golden Dome project is reminiscent of past missile defense systems like Israel's Iron Dome and the U.S.'s Strategic Defense Initiative, aiming to create an integrated defense network against modern threats like hypersonic missiles.

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Pentagon budget documents reveal it's pursuing containerized 300kW+ laser weapons, ambitious Joint Laser Weapon System designed to shoot down cruise missiles — system part of $17.9 billion Golden Dome missile-defense initiative

The Pentagon is accelerating the development of a Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) to shoot down cruise missiles, part of the $17.9 billion Golden Dome missile-defense initiative. The system aims to integrate high-energy laser subsystems for testing in naval environments, with a focus on cruise missile defense. The Pentagon is pursuing a containerized laser architecture capable of scaling beyond 300 kilowatts, a significant escalation in power. The JLWS initiative reflects the military's growing emphasis on directed-energy systems and could lead to a fully functional weapon system in the near future.

Tom's Hardware•

8 hours ago

With $1 Cyberattacks on the Rise, Durable Defenses Pay Off

As cyberattacks that cost as little as $1 become more prevalent, the importance of robust cybersecurity defenses is highlighted. The article emphasizes the significance of writing memory-safe code over relying solely on patching vulnerabilities. Experts Evan Johnson and Justin Cappos from New York University stress the need for durable defenses in the face of rapid and powerful cyberattacks facilitated by large language models like Anthropic’s Claude Mythos. They suggest that a comprehensive approach beyond generative AI is essential for effective cyberdefense.

IEEE Spectrum•

1 day ago

US Navy tests laser weapon that shoots down drones on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier — ‘system tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple target drones,’ has essentially unlimited power source

The US Navy tested a laser weapon system called LOCUST on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier, successfully tracking, engaging, and neutralizing multiple target drones. The system, developed by AeroVironment, has an essentially unlimited power source and can be easily deployed on ships without costly modifications. The VP of Directed Energy Systems at AV described the system as a game-changer for national security. The deployment of advanced anti-drone laser weaponry on naval vessels provides enhanced protection against emerging drone threats.

Tom's Hardware•

6 days ago

3DPrint.com

ARC & ORNL Form Partnership to Accelerate AI-Enabled Manufacturing for Defense

The article discusses a new partnership between the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to advance AI-enabled manufacturing for defense applications. The collaboration aims to leverage AI technologies to enhance manufacturing processes, improve product quality, and increase efficiency in defense-related industries. By combining ARM's expertise in robotics with ORNL's capabilities in AI and manufacturing, the partnership seeks to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques in the defense sector.

3DPrint.com•

1 week ago