Theater Missile Defense: Beyond Patriot

摘要

This Thesis examines the major obstacles to development and deployment ofeffective U.S. Theater Missile Defense (TMD) programs. America is embarked on an aggressive TMD acquisition program with 10 TMD systems under research and development, excluding the Brilliant Eyes satellite and the Israeli Arrow. This thesis reviews the effects of ambiguities in the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty on TMD development. Current TMD programs are further evaluated to determine if they have the capability to counter strategic ballistic missiles. Other issues examined include the effects of technology advancement on the ABM treaty and TMD, funding restraints of TMD, and the implications for the global arms control structure of an abrogated ABM Treaty. This study concludes that several of America's TMD programs under consideration are capable against strategic ballistic missiles and thereby violate the ABM Treaty. Theater ballistic missile defense, Ballistic missile defense, Anti-ballistic missile treaty, Arms control structure, Theater high altitude area defense, Patriot.