Overview
- The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, in a report released Tuesday, projected the program’s 20‑year price at about $1.2 trillion, far above the earlier $175 billion figure cited by the White House.
- The plan relies on space-based interceptors and satellites to shoot down long‑range missiles before they reach the United States, and CBO says the space segment would make up about 60% of total costs.
- The report warns the shield could be overwhelmed by large, complex strikes from top military rivals, raising doubts about how much protection the system would actually provide.
- Even with key technologies unproven, Congress has authorized roughly $25 billion to start work, the Pentagon has requested another $17 billion for the next fiscal year, and the Space Force has issued up to $3.2 billion in prototype contracts to 12 firms including Lockheed Martin and SpaceX.
- The estimate is based on capabilities outlined in President Trump’s 2025 order rather than a final design, a gap program lead Gen. Michael Guetlein cites in disputing the math as he stresses affordability, while Sen. Jeff Merkley—who requested the report—labels the effort a giveaway to contractors and seeks to block more funds.