From time to time during the Persian Gulf war, Patriot missiles shot down incoming Iraqi Scuds on their way to Saudi Arabia. But most Patriots couldn't hit their targets, and those that did caused damage when their debris fell from above. A decade later, President Clinton is on his way to deploying 100 interceptors in Alaska to shoot down incoming rockets from rogue states or terrorists. Vice President Al Gore endorses the program, while Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, his likely rival to succeed Clinton in the White House, wants to do even more. Most folks like the idea of having an umbrella around in case of rain.
Most foreign governments abhor the idea.
They tend to view such shields as destabilizing, following the same train of thought that President Nixon followed when he signed the ABM Treaty in 1972. So far, Boeing and Uncle Sam are batting .500 in the Missile Defense League. The second test, on Jan. 18, using more advanced components, failed. Yet another test, known as IFT-5, is scheduled soon. It will take until IFT-19, to be held in 2005, before the project has its first operational flight test.