Missile Defense
Interceptor test in the Marshall Islands (2005). MDA photo.
RECENT ANALYSIS
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May 8, 2012
The Heritage Foundation’s Missile Defense Fantasies
The Heritage Foundation's most recent ode to missile defense predictably misses the mark, writes intern Matthew Fargo. -
Mar 19, 2012
The Wages of Missile Defense
A missile defense system which cannot reliably destroy incoming missiles under optimum conditions is not a defense system - it is an exceedingly expensive boondoggle, writes Matthew Fargo in this new analysis. -
Jan 17, 2012
Missile Defense Intercepts in Space: A problem not solved
A recent report by the Defense Science Board concludes that U.S. missile defenses are still unable to discriminate between an incoming missile and decoys or countermeasures designed to confound the system, writes Lt. Gen. Robert Gard (USA, ret.) in this new analysis. - See more articles »
CENTER EXPERT
Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, ret.)
Chairman
202-546-0795 ext.2111
rgard AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Click here to read "Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration"
The American missile defense program is a comprehensive, multi-layered system of systems designed to counter attacks by ballistic missiles. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) within the Department of Defense has primary responsibility for ballistic missile defense programs. Annual funding has increased from $3 billion during the Clinton administration to over $10 billion today.
It was not until 1983, with President Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" speech, that expanded research and development on missile defense programs notably accelerated. The Star Wars program, officially known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), aimed to establish combined ground- and space-based missile defense systems to protect against strategic nuclear ballistic missiles by forming a "protective bubble." This complex endeavor sparked skepticism about technological feasibility, affordability, and possible abrogation of the ABM Treaty. Star Wars was never fully developed or deployed.
FY 2012 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Analysis of FY 2012 Budget Request
FY 2012 Budget Request: Detailed Numbers
FY 2011 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Click here for Fiscal Year 2011 Defense Budget Analysis
FY2010 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Click here for FY 2010 Defense Budget Analysis Archive
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Oct 27, 2009 A Shift in Focus: Changes in the Missile Defense Program
Sep 17, 2009 President Obama's Revamped European Missile Defense Offers Better Security
Jul 22, 2009 Bargaining Chip or Gas Mask? Prospects for Missile Defense
Feb 26, 2009 Recommendations for 2009: Reduce Funding for Unproven Missile Defense Programs
Oct 20, 2008 Time To Rethink Missile Defense
Mar 26, 2008 Star Wars Turns 25 Years Old, but Effective and Capable Missile Defense Still Elusive
Jul 16, 2007 National Missile Defense in Europe: Premature and Unwise
ADDITIONAL READING
- Government Accountability Office, "Ballistic Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve," July 31, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress," updated May 16, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe," updated July 24, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Ballistic Missile Defense: Historical Overview," updated July 9, 2007.
- Congressional Research Service, "Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense-Background and Issues for Congress," updated August 11, 2008.