Report to the Congress on the Strategic Defense Initiative 1990
Abstract
This report recounts the progress the SDI program has made over the last several years and describes our plans for the future. One of the biggest breakthroughs occurred recently--the introduction of the Brilliant Pebbles concept into the space-based portion of the defense architecture. Preliminary cost estimates and effectiveness analyses indicate that deployment of Brilliant Pebbles as the space-based layer of a Phase One Strategic Defense System could allow savings of $14 billion from previous estimates, reducing the cost of an initial system from $69 billion to approximately $55 billion. In 1989, we launched the Beam Experiment Aboard a Rocket (BEAR), which demonstrated propagation of a particle beam in space. Also in 1989, we witnessed the first firing of the Alpha chemical laser. In 1990, we plan to achieve even more significant testing milestones. In January, we launched the first High Endo- Atmospheric Defense Interceptor (HEDI) test and demonstrated the ability to cool the interceptor's forebody and sensor window. We are demonstrating defensive technologies that we believe offer the potential for moving toward a more stable relationship with the Soviet Union while reducing offensive forces. In sum, our efforts to demonstrate defensive technologies, to modernize our offensive forces and to work toward beneficial arms control agreements are fully integrated and mutually reinforcing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA224950
Entities
Organizations
- Ballistic Missile Defense Organization