Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged non-nuclear tactical and theater missiles.
The interception technology used has varied over time. In the 1960s, missile defense against ICBMs emphasized nuclear warheads. In recent decades non-nuclear kinetic warheads have been used. Directed-energy weapons such as lasers have been investigated and deployed on a limited basis.
The United States, Russia, France, India and Israel have all developed such air defense systems. In the United States, missile defense was originally the responsibility of the Army. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has developed maritime systems and command and control that will eventually be transferred to the Navy and Air force for operation and sustainment.
Read more about Missile Defense: Missile Defense Categories, History, Defense Systems and Initiatives
Other articles related to "missile defense, missiles, missile, defense":
... leaving the Navy, Myers joined Lockheed Martin and became a program manager in the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program Office at NE SS-Surface Systems ... He was promoted to "Director, Missile Defense and Radar Programs," overseeing Lockheed Martin’s radar business and role in BMD domestically and internationally ... Programs," and "Vice President, Sea-based Missile Defense." Myers is currently spearheading the solar energy projects at Lockheed Martin ...
... missile defense program whose goal is to design, develop, and deploy multiple small kinetic energy-based warheads that can intercept and destroy multiple ballistic ... to destroy medium-range through intercontinental-range ballistic missiles equipped with multiple warheads or countermeasures by using a single interceptor missile ... During an actual hostile ballistic missile attack, the carrier vehicle with its cargo of small kill vehicles would have maneuvered into the path of an ...
... Akash missile surface-to-air missile defense system Arrow missile HQ-9 regional air defence/anti-ballistic missile Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program Iron ...
4 conducts operational testing and evaluation of space, cyberspace, information technology, missile, and missile defense systems ... Surveillance, Cobra Judy Replacement, Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System, and the Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network ... addition, Detachment 4 is part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System Operational Test Agency Combined Test Force, participating in the testing and exercise ...
... The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to building broad public support for the development and deployment of an effective missile defense system for the United States ... analysis of United States Government missile defense strategies and technologies ... and/or strategy capable of destroying missile warheads launched against the United States ...
Famous quotes containing the words defense and/or missile:
“There’s no telling what might have happened to our defense budget if Saddam Hussein hadn’t invaded Kuwait that August and set everyone gearing up for World War II½. Can we count on Saddam Hussein to come along every year and resolve our defense-policy debates? Given the history of the Middle East, it’s possible.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)
“... the truth is the hardest missile one can be pelted with.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)