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Interceptor test in the Marshall Islands (2005). MDA photo.Testing a missile interceptor.

RECENT ANALYSIS

  • Dec 17, 2009
    Analysis of FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Conference Agreement (HR 3326)
    The Conference agreement on the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill was adopted by the full House on Wednesday, December 16, roughly 24 hours after it became available for public viewing. The Senate is expected to act on the legislation this week. The bill includes $497.7 billion for the Department of Defense’s annual “base” budget, excluding funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Dec 4, 2009
    Commitment to Nuclear Non-Proliferation: New Directions under the Obama Administration
    In this speech delivered to the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, John Isaacs argues that we have entered an era of great change on nuclear weapons issues. The election of Barack Obama as President has provided an opportunity for unprecedented transformation. If we do not see substantial progress in the next six months, however, the President’s vision will be in jeopardy.
  • Dec 3, 2009
    Pruning the Nuclear Triad? Pros and Cons of Bombers, Missiles, and Submarines
    As the United States and Russia negotiate bilateral reductions in nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles, attention must be paid to the composition of each country’s strategic arsenal of nuclear-armed bombers, land-based missiles, and submarine-based missiles. This fact sheet considers the arguments traditionally made about the strengths and weaknesses of each leg of the nuclear triad.
  • See more articles »

Dr. Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, ret.)

CENTER EXPERT

Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, ret.)

Chairman
202-546-0795 ext.2111
rgard AT armscontrolcenter DOT org

Click here to read "Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration"

The American missile defense program is a comprehensive, multi-layered system of systems designed to counter attacks by ballistic missiles. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) within the Department of Defense has primary responsibility for ballistic missile defense programs. Annual funding has increased from $3 billion during the Clinton administration to over $10 billion today.

It was not until 1983, with President Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" speech, that expanded research and development on missile defense programs notably accelerated. The Star Wars program, officially known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), aimed to establish combined ground- and space-based missile defense systems to protect against strategic nuclear ballistic missiles by forming a "protective bubble." This complex endeavor sparked skepticism about technological feasibility, affordability, and possible abrogation of the ABM Treaty. Star Wars was never fully developed or deployed.

FY2010 DEFENSE BUDGET

Oct 21, 2009 Analysis of FY 2010 Defense Authorization Conference Agreement (HR 2647)

May 8, 2009 Analysis of the Fiscal Year 2010 Pentagon Spending Request: May "Full Request"

Feb 26, 2009 Fiscal Year 2010 Pentagon Defense Spending Request: February "Topline"

ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS

Oct 27, 2009 A Shift in Focus: Changes in the Missile Defense Program

Sep 17, 2009 President Obama's Revamped European Missile Defense Offers Better Security

Jul 22, 2009 Bargaining Chip or Gas Mask? Prospects for Missile Defense

Feb 26, 2009 Recommendations for 2009: Reduce Funding for Unproven Missile Defense Programs

Oct 20, 2008 Time To Rethink Missile Defense

Mar 26, 2008 Star Wars Turns 25 Years Old, but Effective and Capable Missile Defense Still Elusive

Jul 16, 2007 National Missile Defense in Europe: Premature and Unwise

ADDITIONAL READING