# 99058. What's DoD Testing for Theater Missile Defense?

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By Douglas J. Gillert
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- With deployed U.S. forces increasingly threatened 
by medium-range missile attacks, Defense Secretary William S. 
Cohen announced Jan. 20 that DoD will step up development of an 
expanded theater missile defense capability.

While DoD will continue to fund the Army's Theater High Altitude 
Area Defense system, Cohen said, the Navy Theater Wide system 
could become the lead program. He said DoD will increase funding 
for the Navy system by more than a half-billion dollars through 
fiscal 2001. Meanwhile, the Pentagon will review both systems in 
2000, with the goal of fielding one of them as early as 2007.

The Navy Theater Wide and Army THAAD systems are designed to 
counter threats above the atmosphere from the sea and ground, 
respectively. The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, DoD's 
missile defense agency, also will continue developing lower-tier 
systems, including the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile and 
the Navy Area Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Each of these defensive systems is briefly described below. For 
more information about DoD missile defense programs, visit the 
BMDO Web site at www.acq.osd.mil/bmdo. More information on the 
Air Force's airborne laser program is available at the Air Force 
Research Laboratory Web site at 
www.de.afrl.af.mil/abl/index.html. 

DoD Theater Missile Defense SystemsNavy Theater Wide 

System: Upper-tier (above the atmosphere) ballistic missile 
defense capability from Aegis missile-equipped surface combatant 
ships.

Mission: Provide intercept capability against medium- and long-
range theater ballistic missiles. 

Advantages: Capitalizes on inherent mobility of Navy ships. By 
positioning a ship closer to the threat launch point, a 
significant increase in the defended area can be realized. 
Placement near enemy launch sites provides ability to intercept 
targets at various descent phases, offer additional layer of 
defense for lower-tier systems.

Theater High Altitude Area Defense
 
System: Land-based, upper-tier defensive missile system with 
long-range and high-altitude intercept capability. Consists of 
four principal elements: truck-mounted launchers, interceptors, 
radar system, and battle management command, control, 
communications and intelligence system.

Mission: Defeat tactical theater ballistic missiles; intercept 
missiles inside and outside the atmosphere; engage at long 
ranges and high altitudes; give U.S. and allied forces multiple 
opportunities to intercept incoming missiles.

Advantages: Ability to intercept missiles at long range and high 
altitude would give U.S. forces best chance to shoot down 
incoming missiles far enough out to avoid harm from post-
intercept debris. Battle management command and control system 
would link with other missile and air defense systems. All 
components can be airlifted.

Patriot Advanced Capability 

System: Designed to provide the lower tier of ballistic missile 
defense architecture. Consists of four basic components: radar 
set, engagement control station, launching station and 
interceptors. 

Mission: Defend troops and fixed assets against short- and 
medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other air-
breathing threats, such as fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. 
Designed for hit-to-kill accuracy in the terminal phase of the 
threat missile's flight.

Advantages: High maneuverability and hit-to-kill accuracy; 
interoperable with other Army and joint systems; air-
transportable to support rapid deployments.

Airborne Laser 

System: Modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft with multiple laser 
modules to create a megawatt-class chemical laser. 

Mission: Shoot down theater ballistic missiles shortly after 
they're launched. Protect civilian and key military assets from 
attack by missiles such as the Scuds used by Iraq during the 
Persian Gulf War. 

Advantages: Provides means to destroy theater ballistic missiles 
when they are most vulnerable -- in their boost phase; will 
become deterrent against weapons of mass destruction by 
confronting adversary with the prospect those weapons will fall 
back on its own territory. Will provide aerial dominance 
combined with other airborne weapon systems -- specifically, the 
F-22 and Joint Strike Fighter.

Navy Area
 
System: Aegis cruisers and destroyers equipped with a modified 
Aegis combat system. 

Mission: Defend U.S. and allied forces and areas of vital 
national interest against theater ballistic missiles. Detect and 
track short- to medium-range theater ballistic missiles and 
engage them with the SM-2 interceptor.

Advantages: Protect U.S. forces deployed to crisis areas; 
provide early engagement and defense in depth to reassure 
allies; Enable reinforcements by protecting debarkation ports, 
airfields and staging areas; ease strain required for timely 
airlift and sealift; deter conflict.

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