Space and Missile Defense
The threats the United States face today are evolving. Rogue nations are obtaining long-range nuclear missiles; countries are developing weapons capable of destroying satellites. We must meet these new threats with innovative defenses. The U.S. needs a comprehensive ballistic missile defense system that employs a multilayered defense system of sea, ground, and space-based systems. The U.S. must also look to protect the vital economic, defense, and intelligence interested in space.
Video: America and its Allies Need Missile Defense
The Heritage Foundation expert Sally McNamara discusses the importance of missile defense to America and her allies.
Video: Sen. Jeff Sessions Speaks to The Heritage Foundation on Missile Defense
Senator Jeff Sessions speaks to The Heritage Foundation on Missile Defense.
Defense Acquisitions: Assessment of DOD Efforts to Enhance Missile Defense Capabilities and Oversight, by Paul L. Francis, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Defense, House Committee on Appropriations
The GAO annually assesses the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) effort to develop and field a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is the largest research and development program in the Department of Defense (DOD). This testimony is based on GAO’s assessment of MDA’s progress in meeting Block 2006 goals for fielding assets, completing work within estimated cost, conducting tests, and demonstrating the performance of the overall system in the field, and making managerial improvements to transparency, accountability, and oversight.
Maneuvering Against Missile Defense
In the 1990s, Congress decided it was time for the United States to build a missile-defense system. And yet there are still some people who refuse to support this position, at the expense of our national security.
Criticizing Success?
Critics continue to argue that missile defense will prove ineffective, despite building evidence that points to the contrary. Others argue that it is illegitimate for the U.S. to erect a system capable of shooting down Russian missiles. How can a position that claims our defense system is both ineffective and too effective be valid?
Criticizing Success? The Test of the Long-Range Missile Defense System
Congress should pay little heed to scientists and engineers who cloak a policy preference in technical analysis. Technical analysis should serve to advance scientific knowledge and technology, not the scientist's policy preferences.
Congressional Appropriators Should Not Undercut U.S. Negotiators on Missile Defense in Europe
As Congress continues the appropriations process following its August recess, it needs to be more supportive of the diplomacy behind further missile defense cooperation with U.S. allies in Europe and Russia.
High Energy Laser Weapon Systems Applications
In this report, the Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force details its evaluation of recent and ongoing programs in HEL applications, recent supporting technology advancements and applications, and ways that these systems could be “weaponized” in applicable combat theater environments. In its conclusion, the Task Force determined that that the United States is in a position to exploit current high energy laser technology to take advantage of speed-of-light engagement. To that end, the team recommended a department-wide science and technology investment in basic and exploratory research to improve the reliability and reduce the cost of HEL systems, especially for tactical applications.
Nuclear Capabilities Report Summary
The DSB Task Force was asked by the Secretary of Defense to consider the issues associated with the current nuclear stockpile, nuclear production complex, management of the nuclear enterprise, and to examine plans to transform the nuclear enterprise to provide a capability to respond to 21st Century security needs. In this report, the Task Force concludes that a new approach to sustaining a reliable, safe, secure and credible nuclear stockpile is needed, and recommends senior leaders in both DoD and DOE to change their approaches to the organization and management of the nuclear weapon enterprise.
Nuclear Weapons Effects Test, Evaluation, and Simulation
The DSB Task Force on Nuclear Weapon Effects Test, Evaluation and Simulation was begun in January 2004 to identify near and far term nuclear weapon effects test and simulation needs and produce a roadmap of capabilities to guide simulation technology development. The team found that DoD personnel and facilities in this area have eroded significantly in the past 15 years. The Task Force recommended a coordinated DoD/DOE program for supporting and sharing the resources of the two departments to ensure nuclear survivability.
Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Information for Supporting Future Key Decisions for Boost and Ascent Phase Elements
This report reflects GAO’s findings after reviewing a March 2006 report from DoD’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on potential new capabilities for destroying incoming ballistic missiles. GAO found that the report included useful technical and operational information on boost and ascent phase capabilities but the analysis was limited, as key DoD stakeholders such as services and combatant commands were not involved in preparing the report. As such, the report did not clearly convey modeling assumptions and their effects on results as required by relevant research standards.
Defense Acquisitions: Missile Defense Acquisition Strategy Generates Results but Delivers Less at a Higher Cost
The 2007 GAO report covering the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) progress during fiscal year 2006 follows up on program oversight issues and the current status of MDA’s quality assurance program. GAO assessed the progress of each element being developed by MDA, examined acquisition laws applicable to major acquisition programs, and reviewed the impact of implemented quality initiatives. GAO recommends that DoD adopt firm baselines, use procurement funds for operational assets, and adopt other measures to better track cost and outcomes against goals.
A Day in the Life of BMDS
This file shows the progress and development of the United States’ ballistic missile capability. With the initial fielding of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, the United States has a capability to meet a limited, near-term ballistic missile threat. This initial capability provides a defense against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles using Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Standard Missile-3.
Preventing and Defending Against Clandestine Nuclear Attack
In this report, the DSB Task Force addresses the threat of nuclear or radiological attack, by anyone for any purpose in any scenario against the United States or U.S. military operations, delivered by any means other than missiles or aircraft. The Task Force finds that the threat is serious enough to warrant the undertaking of additional roles and responsibilities by DoD, including additional protection of DoD power projection capabilities and enabling OCONUS operations to find and safely dispose of nuclear weapons, devices, or materials that could be used for attack.
Contributions of Space Based Radar to Missile Defense
After assessing the capabilities of Space Based Radar (SBR) for missile defense, the DSB Task Force published this report that contains their recommendations in four specific areas in which an SBR capability could contribute to missile defense: 1) pre-launch location, monitoring, and tracking; 2) launch detection and early trajectory measurement; 3) trajectory tracking, and 4) discrimination.
Missile Defense Phase III: Modeling & Simulation
This report evaluates the state of modeling and simulation (M&S) efforts supporting the Ballistic Missile Defense System and makes recommendations for improving future M&S development in five areas: 1) the scope of the modeling and simulation effort; 2) the appropriateness of the level of fidelity; 3) the impact of communication on the end-to-end models; 4) the approaches to the validity of simulations, and 5) additional opportunities for M&S contributions.
