Theater ballistic missile defenses: an emerging role for the Navy?

Abstract

The end of the Cold War has brought about significant changes in the international and national security environments that present tremendous implications for the U.S. military. The strategic threat of global nuclear war has diminished considerably. While that threat is diminished, a new threat is emerging. Ballistic missile proliferation and related weapons of mass destruction are one of the major threats to stability in the new security environment. Ballistic missile systems are seen as destabilizing weapons that are a threat to regional peace and American vital interests in certain regions. This thesis addresses the possible need to for theater ballistic defenses in the U.S. Navy as one element of a national strategy to defeat ballistic missile missiles in future regional conflicts. Specifically, it addresses the naval role for ballistic missile defenses, including the analysis of the present and future threat, an examination of how the missile defense dovetail into the national security strategy of regional contingencies, and the means by which the defenses can be employed. The issue of the threat involves demonstrating that a threat exists and that technological improvements in the future will increase their utility and put more targets, including Navy ships, at risk. The issue of the role that defenses will fill in the national security strategy deals with their contributions to the fundamental pillars of that strategy. The issue of naval roles addresses the missions and tasks that a sea-based system can provide across the spectrum of naval warfare. The means which the defense can be employed is addressed to demonstrate how the U.S. Navy can be a major contributor under the Aegis construct.