Ballistic Missile Defense

Ballistic missile defense (BMD) technology — the ability to intercept missiles in flight and destroy them before they can hit their targets — is just beginning to approach the early stages of operational effectiveness. A political dance is evolving around BMD’s deployment and its future effects on the international system.

Key Analysis
SM-3 Missile Interceptor launching from a ship
U.S. Missile Defense Agency
The guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67) launches a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor.
U.S.: The Real Reason Behind Ballistic Missile Defense
June 18, 2007 1444 GMT
The U.S. ballistic missile defense system slated for Poland and the Czech Republic has been continually touted as intended to counter long-range Iranian missiles — which is true — but it is also entirely consistent with long-term U.S. strategy. [more]
Artist's Rendition of space-based BMD
United States: The Weaponization of Space
April 10, 2008 2012 GMT
Stratfor's position on the so-called "weaponization" of space is that it is not only inevitable, it is already occurring in very meaningful ways. [more]
Photo -- Cartwright & England Watching SM-3 Trajectory
U.S.: Implications of the Satellite Intercept
February 22, 2008 0118 GMT
The U.S. downing of a wayward satellite, and the confidence demonstrated beforehand, is evidence of a mature weapon system. [more]
SM-3 Missile Launching At Satellite
U.S.: A Successful Satellite Hit
February 21, 2008 1546 GMT
The United States destroyed an unresponsive satellite using an interceptor designed and built for ballistic missile defense -- which clearly can be used in anti-satellite operations as well. [more]
Satellite Shootdown - SM-3 launch
U.S. Military: Implications of a Satellite Shoot-down
February 21, 2008 1415 GMT
The U.S. Navy succeeded in its first attempt to shoot down a falling spy satellite, using an SM-3 missile. The test overtly reveals an offensive use for part of the United States’ ballistic missile defense inventory - and China was quick to take notice. [more]
Photo -- SM-3 Missile Test
U.S.: Flexing its Muscle With a Satellite Shot
February 20, 2008 1751 GMT
The United States will attempt to shoot down a dead satellite as it falls back to Earth on Feb. 21. The action sends an overt message about the United States' predominance in space. [more]
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