Mobile sea-based defense.

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – I apologize I have not been around for a week but I don’t always have enough time to throw up a “gone fishing” message when I need to leave town. I cannot remember at this moment who it was that asked about “when a working missile defense system would be operational”, and there is much more to the entire system but my focus has been much on the land based assets. But here is another aspect and it is about time I give a little credit to the Navy. Here is another example that we are striving towards a successful system and you are getting your monies worth.

By year's end, the Navy will have at least six ships able to track down and destroy ballistic missiles in space.

As it works to expand a decade-old program, the Navy is upgrading 18 guided missile cruisers and destroyers, including two in Norfolk,
to counter missile threats.
...
In an international crisis, the United States has traditionally relied on aircraft carriers to respond, according to Rear Adm. Brad Hicks, director of the Missile Defense Agency's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.

Now, he predicts, "it won't be too long - in a couple of years - when the national command authority will ask: 'Where are the Aegis ships?' "
...
The guided missile cruiser Shiloh, formerly based in San Diego, was able to detect, track and destroy an incoming missile at least 100 miles out in space during a test in June, Hicks said.
...
The Navy will have converted 10 Aegis-equipped destroyers to long-range tracking ships by the end of this year. However, they will not be able to shoot down incoming missiles until they obtain additional upgrades. Six other vessels, to include guided missile cruisers, called "engagement ships," will be able to track and shoot down missiles.

So many things are making progress and success is being had. One of our main problems now is one we had for years with everything military but especially shown in aircraft. Speed. Props turned to jets. Planes became more aerodynamic and faster. And how was the best way to over-fly the USSR? Design the SR-71 to just outrun any G-A missiles. Well now we have to hit missiles. So the hurdles at hand are designing faster missiles, a problem which is moving along and being solved as we speak.

-md

Also reference: Innovation and the BMDS, "Every test has failed." News to me!
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