![handle is hein.crs/govejmv0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Con gressionaI Rese r h Service
nf0rming he litive debate sice 1914
Defense Primer: Ballistic Missile Defense
The United States has been developing and deploying North Korea li
ballistic missile defenses (BMD) to defend against enemy that can reach a
missiles continuously since the late 1940s. In the late 1960s MRBMs (whos
and early 1970s, the United States deployed a limited capable of reac
nuclear-tipped BMD system to protect a portion of its U.S. North Korea ha
land-based nuclear ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) ICBMs that ha
force in order to preserve a strategic deterrent against a Defense Intelli
Soviet nuclear attack on the Homeland. That system North Korea's
became active in 1975 but shut down in 1976 because of and [submarine
concerns over cost and effectiveness. In the FY1975 intention to bol
budget, the Army began funding research into hit-to-kill or
kinetic energy interceptors as an alternative-the type of The intelligenc
interceptor technology that dominates U.S. BMD systems largest inventor
today. Those missiles
does not have a
In 1983, President Reagan announced an enhanced effort ballistic missile
for BMD. Since the start of the Reagan initiative in 1985, than 500 km, w
BMD has been a key national security interest in Congress, Iran also has a,
which has appropriated well over $200 billion for a broad capable of strik
range of BMD research and development programs and views as a dete
deployment of BMD systems here and abroad. dedicated ICB
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is charged with the Almost all of C
mission to develop, test, and field an integrated, layered, opposite Taiwa
BMD system (BMDS) to defend the United States, U.S. well as U.S. all
deployed forces, and U.S. allies and partners against missile forces c
ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight. Northeast Asia.
The FY2023 budget request is $24.7 billion for missile of technologies
defense, $9.6 billion of which is for MDA. countries' BM
armed MRBM
Ballkstic Missile Threats deterrence.
After an initial powered phase of flight, a ballistic missile
leaves the atmosphere and follows an unpowered trajectory The Major
or flight path before reentering the atmosphere toward a The United Sta
predetermined target. Ballistic missiles have an effective ground, sea, an
range from a few hundred kilometers (km) to more than and tracking, a
10,000 km. Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) range hit-to-kill (dire
from 300-1,000 km and are generally considered for tactical interceptors, an
military use. Medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and battle man
have a range from 1,000-5,500 km, although most are with those inter
armed with conventional warheads and range less than
3,500 km. ICBMs range further than 5,500 km and are Groun-Base
generally considered as strategic deterrent forces. Since 2004, the
(expanding nov
Most of the world's ballistic missiles belong to the United Fort Greely, A
States and its allies and partners; however, China and, in GMD system i
particular, Russia also have significant numbers of ICBMs. space from ICB
Russia continues to possess intermediate-range ballistic and from North Ko
cruise missiles (3,500-5,500 km), which led to the U.S. been praised by
withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces somewhat mix
(INF) Treaty. The 2022 Missile Defense Review intercept attem
additionally identifies ballistic missile threats from North
Korea and Iran. Terminal Hig
THAAD is a hi
system designe
Updated November 23, 2022
kely has an arsenal of hundreds of SRBMs
ill of South Korea and perhaps dozens of
se reliability at this point remains uncertain),
hing Japan and U.S. bases in the region.
s flight-tested two types of road-mobile
ve the range to strike the U.S. homeland. The
gence Agency (DIA) has assessed that
continued development of ICBMs, IRBMs,
-launched ballistic missiles] demonstrates its
ster its nuclear delivery capability.
e community assesses that Iran has the
ry of ballistic missiles in the Middle East.
are armed with conventional warheads; Iran
a nuclear weapons capability. Most of Iran's
force consists of SRBMs with ranges less
which it views as a tactical warfighting force.
growing and significant number of MRBMs
ing targets throughout the region, which it
rrent force. Iran does not appear to have a
M program.
hina's SRBMs are deployed at bases
n. China's MRBMs can reach U.S. bases, as
ies and partners in the region. China's
ould also target U.S. naval ships in
Additionally, China is working on a range
to attempt to counter U.S. and other
D systems. China's ICBM and some nuclear-
forces are intended for strategic and regional
Elements of the U.S. BM DS
tes has deployed a global array of networked
d space-based sensors for target detection
n extensive number of ground- and sea-based
ct impact) and blast fragmentation warhead
d a global network of command, control,
agement capabilities to link those sensors
rceptors.
di Midcourse Defense (G MD)
United States has deployed a force of 44
w to 64) Ground-based Interceptors (GBI) at
K, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. The
designed to destroy a limited attack in
Ms aimed at the United States, to include
rea and Iran. Although the GMD system has
1 senior military leaders, it does have a
ed flight test record, having failed 8 out of 18
pts between 1999 and 2018.
h Altitude Area Defense (T HAAD)
ghly mobile, rapidly deployable BMD
d to shoot down incoming short- and](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/govejmv0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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