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 had decided to increase the number of BMD-capable destroyers from 15 to at least 62. In January 2009 it was reported that the Navy had decided to increase the number of BMD-capable cruisers from three to five. 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? Potential issues for Congress regarding sea-based BMD systems include technical risk in the Aegis BMD program, the number of Aegis BMD ships, the role of Aegis BMD in European missile defense, the number of SM-3 interceptors planned for procurement, the proposal to equip the SM-3 Block IIA missile with a Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV), whether development a far-term sea-based terminal-defense BMD capability should be accelerated, the potential role of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) in sea-based BMD operations, procurement of the planned CG(X) cruiser, development and testing of the Aegis BMD system, and potential allied sea-based BMD programs. This report will be updated as events warrants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA497710
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Library of Congress