Zooming in on Golden Dome

Last year the SMD buzz was about what shape Golden Dome might take, hot off the heels of a $13-billion funding announcement and Gen. Michael Guetlein being named to lead the project.

Why it matters: This year, it's more about making it happen, and Guetlein took the stage on day one for an update, including some budget uncertainty and progress being made.

Zoom in: He told a packed Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, "We are digging dirt around the homeland, getting ready for the capabilities that the president has to deliver in the summer of 2028."

• Golden Dome is 90% obligated and 95% committed with radars, launchers, space data networks and more under contract, and he said he's sticking to the $185 billion total.

• "We've had two tests," he said. "Those tests were phenomenally successful, and they demonstrated that the capabilities that we are putting together ... are going to be effective against the threats as they are currently designed."

Yes, but: Since the initiative was funded via reconciliation for the 2025-26 fiscal year, it doesn't show up in the normal budgeting process that's making its way through Congress.

• It must be funded through another reconciliation-type mechanism.

What they're saying: "I do believe as a nation, we're going to have to figure this out, just because the sense of urgency is so great," Guetlein said.

• "I will tell you that if they don't figure it out, there is no Golden Dome, because there is no funding."

The latest: It's also going to take a new acquisitions model, he said.

• In his talk, Guetlein announced the launch of the "Golden Dome for America Hub," a one-stop shop for private enterprise to interface with the golden Dome initiative, where they can upload concepts, submit designs and see active mission requirements.

The bottom line: Ultimately, Guetlein said he thinks it will get figured out, he's only concerned about the timing.