Going Ballistic over Missile Defense?

It was “All Systems Go” on Thursday for the U.S. military as it successfully showcased its Aegis missile defense system in a never-before-witnessed demonstration. Yesterday’s test highlights an important accomplishment both for the future of missile defense and the U.S. military. For the first time in its young existence, Aegis was tasked with firing two missiles to intercept a sea-launched missile during “terminal intercept”, intercepting a missile during its final phase of decent...SUCCESS.

Thus far, the military has successfully demonstrated its first and second components of its missile defense strategy. The third component, space-based interceptors have proven to be much more difficult, as Baker Spring noted back in 2007. However, this problem is not due to the usual hurdles such as a lack of technology or know-how. You’d be surprised to learn that the U.S. has had a space-proven program since the early 1990’s. “Brilliant Pebbles”, the Regan era space-based projectile system is considered to be among the most efficient and cost-effective tool the U.S. has to defend against a myriad of NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) attacks. The only problem is it was halted by the Clinton Administration in 1993. Although proven to be space-enabled, the Brilliant Pebbles still hasn’t been resuscitated by the current administration. What’s clear is this: we have the means for a successful missile defense for America and her allies, what seems to be lacking at the moment is the will.