According to the US government's submission, the Golden Apple missile defense system initiated by the Donald Trump administration will include 4 defense layers: 1 satellite-based layer and 3 on-land layers. The network is expected to have 11 short-range defensive complexes across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
The project, inspired by Israel's "Iron arch" but on a larger scale, aims to protect US territory from various threats. With the goal of completion in 2028, this is an unprecedentedly complex system, requiring both advanced technology and many technical challenges.
According to the structure in the submission for military contractors, the space layer will be responsible for detecting, warning and monitoring targets, while supporting interception. The three ground levels include missile intercept complexes, radar patches and possibly laser weapons.
A highlight of the release is the plan to build a new rocket launch site in the Midwest to deploy new-generation interceptor missiles (NGIs) and the THAAD Aegis system, both produced by Lockheed Martin. The NGI is a modernized missile of the GMD mid-range defense network, which already has launch sites in California and Alaska.
The report also mentioned the challenge of delays in communication between stages of the target destroying chain. Contractors participating in the project include lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX and Boeing. There is no mention of Elon Musk's SpaceX, even though the company has previously participated in bidding with Palantir and Anduril.
A key goal for the Golden Apple is to intercept the missile during the acceleration phase when the missile is climbing into the atmosphere at a stable speed, allowing for faster interception. However, the US has never manufactured heat-resistant equipment when re-entering the atmosphere while still targeting the enemy.
The final defense layer, called the bottom layer and wner zone defense, will use new radars and an existing patriot system, combined with a linear launcher that can deploy both current and future interceptions. These configurations are designed to be mobile, reducing dependence on fixed locations, allowing quick deployment in many areas.
General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force, appointed as the project leader in July, has 30 days to form an implementation team, 60 days to make a preliminary design and 120 days to complete the overall plan, including satellite and ground station details, according to sources from the memorandum of understanding signed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
