Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress

Abstract

As part of its effort to develop a global ballistic missile defense (BMD) system, the Department of Defense (DOD) has modified three Navy cruisers and 15 Navy destroyers for BMD operations, and has deployed a large BMD radar the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) on a modified floating oil platform. In August 2008 it was reported that the Navy has decided to increase the number of BMD-capable destroyers from 15 to at least 62. The eventual role of sea-based systems in the worldwide U.S. BMD architecture has not been determined. The overall issue for Congress discussed in this report is: What should be the role of sea-based systems in U.S. ballistic missile defense, and are DOD's programs for sea-based BMD capabilities appropriately structured and funded?

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 21, 2008
Accession Number
ADA490422

Entities

People

  • Ronald O'Rourke

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Anti-Ballistic Missiles
  • Attitude Control Systems
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rockets
  • Short Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Uss Hopper
  • Uss Lake Erie
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Missile Defense Systems.