A good example of this is the navigation data provided by the Global Positioning System. The data from this system is available everywhere as a simple radio broadcast. Unfortunately, much of the other space-based information we need to get to the warfighter is not as easy to provide as navigation data, but solutions to our more difficult requirements are being developed. We must, also, be able to monitor and respond to the strategic military threats facing our nation and at the same time support our diplomatic efforts to monitor arms control and non-proliferation agreements. There are weapons systems in the world which, contrary to popular belief, we have limited or no defense against.
Good examples are ballistic and cruise missiles.
The strength of our conventional forces gives us some deterrent capability against countries with rational leaders. But, as we have all seen, terrorists, rogue states, and non-state actors continue to seek international recognition through all means at their disposal. To at least partially defend ourselves against these threats, we must continue to support development of a theater missile defense system for our forward deployed forces and a limited ballistic missile defense system for north america. I say ballistic missile defense for North America because we have begun to dialogue with our Canadian friends on their involvement in this very important project. We can extend the umbrella of this system to all of North America.