Hegseth's decision to shutter DOT&E was at least partially triggered by the office's plans to oversee Golden Dome's test plans, sources told Defense News.

It would be the equivalent of us going back 1,000 years and having to start from scratch." In response to these hypothetical - but experts say quite possible - threats, US President Donald Trump has set his eyes on a "next generation" missile shield: the Golden Dome.

President Donald Trump announced a plan to build a missile defense system, called the Golden Dome, on May 20, 2025. The system is intended to protect the United States from ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles,