US launches digital portal for Golden Dome missile defence system developmentWashington: The United States on Tuesday launched a digital portal to bring defence companies, technology start-ups, investors and researchers into the development of its planned $185 billion Golden Dome missile defence system. Gen. Mike Guetlein, Director of Golden Dome for America, announced the Golden Dome for America Ecosystem Hub at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium. The platform will serve as a single point of contact between programme officials and traditional defence contractors, commercial technology companies, venture capitalists, universities, research laboratories and nontraditional entrepreneurs. “While we are committed to making the necessary investments to defend and protect the nation, we are equally committed to being responsible with every dollar of the $185 billion we need to deliver Golden Dome,” he said. Golden Dome is envisaged as a layered system capable of detecting, tracking and intercepting different types of incoming aerial and missile threats.