Theater Missile Defense: Beyond Patriot?

Abstract

This Thesis examines the major obstacles to development and deployment of effective U.S. Theater Missile Defense (TMD) programs. America is embarked on an aggressive TMD acquisition program with 10 TMD systems under research and development, excluding the Brilliant Eyes satellite and the Israeli Arrow. This thesis reviews the effects of ambiguities in the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty on TMD development. Current TMD programs are further evaluated to determine if they have the capability to counter strategic ballistic missiles. Other issues examined include the effects of technology advancement on the ABM treaty and TMD, funding restraints of TMD, and the implications for the global arms control structure of an abrogated ABM Treaty. This study concludes that several of America's TMD programs under consideration are capable against strategic ballistic missiles and thereby violate the ABM treaty. Theater ballistic missile defense, Ballistic missile defense, Anti- ballistic missile treaty, Arms control structure, Theater high altitude area defense, Patriot.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA284247

Entities

People

  • Joseph P. Peterson

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Defense
  • Aircrafts
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Defense Systems
  • Detection
  • Geography
  • National Security
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • Theater Ballistic Missiles
  • Theater Missile Defense
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space