STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE: Some Claims Overstated for Early Flight Tests of Interceptors
Abstract
The Strategic Defense Initiative program is developing a family of kinetic kill interceptors to destroy missiles by colliding with them. From January 1990 through March 1992, the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) conducted seven flight tests of early experimental versions. The Chairman, Legislation and National Security Subcommittee, House Committee on Government Operations, asked GAO to determine the accuracy of SDIO's claims for these tests. Kinetic kill interceptors use head-on collisions up to 30,000 miles an hour to destroy targets. SDI0 is developing three types of kinetic kill interceptors that would attack a ballistic missile at different points in its flight path. Brilliant Pebbles, a space based interceptor, would attack targets first. Then a ground based interceptor would attack targets above the earth's atmosphere (exoatmospheric). Finally, a different ground-based interceptor would attack targets after they have reentered the earth's atmosphere (endoatmospheric). Each uses different technologies that SDI0 must develop and then demonstrate through flight testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA344837
Entities
People
- B. Hathaway
- C. A. Walter
- J. K. Spencer
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office