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.


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    Title :

    Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense - Background and Issues for Congress. (Updated April 03, 2009)


    Contributors:
    R. O'Rourke (author)

    Publication date :

    2009


    Size :

    57 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English