Earlier this year we profiled the Defense Science Board’s (DSB) September 2011 report titled “Science and Technology Issues of Early Intercept Ballistic Missile Defense Feasibility.” We noted at the time that the report is about a lot more than early intercept; it highlighted a number of shortcomings of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), some of which also plague the Ground Based Midcourse Defense system. The report was especially startling given that such information doesn’t often make it beyond the classification wall.
The Wages of Missile Defense
By Matthew Fargo The House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee met on March 6, 2012 to discuss the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for Missile Defense. One of the many topics they discussed was the U.S. Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, (GMD – formerly known as National Missile Defense). Republicans on the subcommittee […]
Missile Defense Intercepts in Space: A problem not solved
by Robert G. Gard The Department of Defense asked the Defense Science Board to study the feasibility of an “early intercept” of ballistic missiles, a capability planned for the fourth and final developmental stage of a missile defense program designed to protect Europe from hostile ballistic missiles. The Defense Science Board is an independent Defense […]
What is to be done? – The Russian Reset and Missile Defense Cooperation
By Kingston Reif and Ulrika Grufman Shortly after President Obama assumed office in 2009, his Administration announced a reset in relations with Russia, which had soured during the George W. Bush administration. The reset was an attempt to re-engage with Russia and to seek out opportunities for cooperation on a number of issues ranging from […]
Pruning the Nuclear Triad? Pros and Cons of Bombers, Missiles, and Submarines
By Kingston Reif, Travis Sharp, and Kirk Bansak As the United States and Russia contemplate further bilateral reductions in nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles beyond those required by New START, attention must be paid to the composition of each country’s strategic arsenal of nuclear-armed bombers, land-based missiles, and submarine-based missiles. To understand the stability that […]
