The decision is also influenced by cost, which many say is restricting the military s procurement of new weapons and the impact of relations on China and Russia, which are both opposed to the program. This is a very high-priority program, chief Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon said Friday. The first major test of the smart rock kill vehicle occurred on October 2. Although the missile experienced some problems to the target, it hit and destroyed the mock warhead. The first test using the final version of the combat ready interceptor is not expected until 2003.
Critics are less certain of the missile system.
They doubt the reliability of NMD, the cost, and the decision of the Pentagon for planning only three tests before recommending deployment of the system. Opponents also criticize the Clinton administration for blatantly disregarding the ABM Treaty that the US signed with the former Soviet Union in 1972. Currently the treaty restricts any missile defense to one that is less than 100 interceptors, based at a single site in North Dakota, and one that doesn t use satellite sensors. The current administration plan calls for a number of satellite sensors, an excess of 100 interceptors, and an additional interceptor site in Alaska. What is not apparent, is how the administration intends to convince the Kremlin to modify the treaty.