Origins of the Strategic Defense Initiative: Ballistic Missile Defense, 1944-1983

Abstract

America's ballistic missile defense program may be said to have its roots in the V-2 attacks on London in 1944. This document traces the development of antiballistic missile defense policy from the V-2 attacks up to President Reagan's 1983 speech announcing the new strategic defense initiative. The history follows the policy debates from the NIKE-X, SALT I and SALT II, the ABM Treaty, and SAFEGUARD through research and development innovations in the areas of computers, optical sensors, interceptors, and directed energy weapons. The emergence of political organizations and individuals who either opposed or championed ballistic missile defense is also included.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA242465

Entities

People

  • Donald R. Baucom

Organizations

  • Ballistic Missile Defense Organization

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Congress
  • Defense Systems
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Beams
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Recreation
  • Rockets
  • Warning Systems
  • Weapons Effects

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy