Research and technology for strategic defense

Abstract

In response to President Reagan's speech related to the objective for putting an end to the threat of nuclear ballistic missiles, an intensive study was conducted by the Dept. of Defense regarding the technologies applicable to ballistic-missile defense. It was concluded that emerging technologies do hold substantial promise for achieving the President's long-term ballistic-missile defense goal. The committee recommended a long-term program to bring the new technologies to a point of readiness where a decision could be made whether to enter full-scale development. Based on the results of the study, DOD has established a new program for the President's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Details regarding the SDI program are discussed. Surveillance, acquisition, tracking, and kill assessment (SATKA) programs will culminate in technical demonstrations. Attention is given to directed energy weapons, battle management, and survivable defenses.