Strategic Defense Initiative: Changing Design and Technological Uncertainties Create Significant Risk

Abstract

In 1983, President Reagan launched a multibillion-dollar program to develop a system for protecting America against ballistic missile attacks. Known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), the program is now nearing the end of its first decade of research and development. During this time, with billions of dollars having been spent, SDI has undergone repeated changes in its objectives and design. The current SDI system is intended to defend against a limited ballistic missile attack from any country and is estimated to cost $46 billion (in fiscal year 1991 dollars). In response to a request from the Chairman, Legislation and National Security Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, GAO reviewed the status, challenges, and risks associated with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization's (SDIO) current system and its automated data processing and communications technologies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA251798

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Command And Control
  • Computers
  • Congress
  • Control Systems
  • Defense Systems
  • Flight Control Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Parallel Computing
  • Parallel Processing
  • Parallel Processors
  • Software Development
  • United States

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Missile Defense Systems.