An Evaluation of Potential Countermeasures to the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Abstract

The key uncertainty within the Strategic Defense Initiative is not whether a multitiered ballistic missile defense can be designed and implemented but rather in the possibility that the intercept system can be readily countered. Additionally, the viability of SDI is dependent upon its cost effectiveness; a defense should not be considered if it can be overcome at a significantly lesser cost. To quantify these uncertainties, the Strategic Defense Initiative is overviewed at a macro level. Potential countermeasures to proposed defensive technologies are defined and analyzed as to their feasibility and the possible leverage, both in cost and in further uncertainty, that the use of the countermeasure would provide. The study also addresses possible counter-countermeasures, where applicable. The results of the study can be used to provide input parameters to systems simulations and system analyses of SDI architectures and as an indicator of further study areas.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA168352

Entities

People

  • Duane M. Lafont

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Booster Rocket Engines
  • Chemical Lasers
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Geographic Regions
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Operations Research
  • Particle Beam Weapons
  • Payload
  • Rockets
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • United States
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design