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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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rshow55 - 05:54pm Apr 20, 2002 EST (#1577 of 1584)

I was glad to see a copy of an "informally confidential" announcement for an internatinal conference on missile defense to be held in Dallas the first week of June. It is very well organized in many ways. But the key questions about basic feasibility are assumed in this conference -- and not really discussable. Imagine yourself in the context in which this conference exists. What questions can you ask? What questions can't you realistically ask, and stay "a member of the team."

" ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

" Introduction:

"The threat of the use of missiles in regional conflict, as an element of international terror or in support of regional conflict, continues to cause concerns in national capitals, given the potential for no notice delivery of weapons of mass destruction on cities, military forces, and other strategic, national assets. The Year 2002 Multinational BMD Conference will present delegates from more than 20 nations the opportunity to discuss the merits of missile defense in an environment changed by terrorists on the 11th of September, 2001.

"This conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet counterparts in government and industry, to share their perspectives on the development or acquisition of missile defense capabilities, and to learn about the current state of the art in missile defense technology in the United States and other nations.

"Conference presentations will include reviews of national defense policies, technical papers on interceptor development, battle management systems, and simulation and system tests. U.S. defense concepts to intercept ballistic missiles in the boost. midcourse, and terminal phases of their trajectories will be discussed. Participants will note the relevant similarities and differences of missiles of different ranges as they transit these phases of flight.

"Open sessions will provide Unclassified, Public Domain information for all participants while closed sessions will provide the opportunity to discuss more sensitive information for those delegates holding appropriate security credentials and “Need-To-Know” authority.

"Every presentation is provided on a” not-for-attribution” basis to enable more open discussion between delegates.

" Conference Objectives The Year 2002 Multinational BMD Conference continues the legacy of past conferences by recognizing the following general objectives:

"Provide a secure environment for multinational discussion on the merits of missile defense in a rapidly changing strategic environment.

"Provide delegates a world-class forum for the exchange of national views of the merits of missile defense, the advance of missile defense technologies, and the real progress toward deployment of missile defense capabilities by the United States and other nations.

"Expected Attendance

"Support multinational dialog to define the merits of system interoperability with regard to improving missile defense capabilities. This dialog should support the identification of opportunities for cost savings and collaborative development of defenses in response to proliferated threats.

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rshow55 - 05:55pm Apr 20, 2002 EST (#1578 of 1584)

"Participation in the conference is restricted to those delegates meeting conference security requirements. Conference participation is by invitation ONLY. Some sessions may be unclassified, but the material presented and the not-for-attribution format of this conference mandates this exclusive policy. Delegates are expected from more than 20 nations, to include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the Ukraine, the United Kingdom~ and the United States. Representatives of international organizations such as NATO, SHAPE, and the Assembly of the European Union may also attend. Participants must meet need-to-know criteria to attend the first and second days of the conference.

" Delegates participating in the restricted! classified sessions must present evidence of national support of a current clearance to receive classified information. These delegates should demonstrate national authority to receive U.S. SECRET or its national equivalent, to include NATO SECRET, in addition to validating a delegate’s need-to-know credentials.

"Conference interactive Wargame-A NEW LOOK!

"The Year 2002 conference will provide interested delegates the opportunity to participate in an all-new, three-hour, missile defense wargame!

"Participants will take part in an offensive planning session and a missile defense planning session, where key issues in missile defense will be examined through the use of a comprehensive scenario. Then, participants will use their chosen defensive design in an advanced computer-aided simulation developed by the Joint National Integration Center (JN IC). Players will assume the duties of key missile defenders and pit themselves and their defensive systems against a realistic missile attack. Real-world constraints such as a limited number of interceptors, coalition rules of engagement, National Command Authority directives, and command and control networks add to the excitement and create an unparalleled learning experience.

"A number of sessions will be held on the 4th and 5th of June, with a night session planned for the evening of the 4th. Interested delegates are asked to mark “OPTION 3” on the AIAA Registration form. Conference staff will assign delegates to one of the scheduled sessions, with as many delegates as possible included in the wargame. Wargame assignments will be provided at the Conference Registration. Results of the Wargame will be presented to the entire conference during plenary session 8.

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