Sirotin Intelligence Briefing: August 3–8, 2026: Senate Confirms Schiess as Third Chief of Space Operations, Golden Dome Sets Its First Flight-Test Dates, and Russia's Kyiv Barrage Beats Ukraine's Air Defenses Entirely

Pentagon Schedules First Tests of Golden Dome Space-Based Missile Defense System for Late 2026, Flight Demonstrations in 2027

The Pentagon has announced plans to conduct initial tests of its Golden Dome space-based missile defense program by the end of 2026, with flight demonstrations of the interceptor technology scheduled for 2027. The program, which revives Reagan-era space defense concepts, will provide $60 million to manufacturers upon successful completion of ground tests.