Navy boost phase missile defense could counter North Korea

USNI:
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Boost-phase intercept (BPI) technology can provide an increase in the capabilities of the present U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System, especially in the context of the North Korean threat. BPI is attractive for several reasons, but is constrained by the attacking missile’s burn time and the speed of the interceptor. [iv] The principal advantage of BPI is its ability to alleviate the need to perform midcourse discrimination.

A boosting ballistic missile presents a large target with a bright signature, making detection and engagement easier. Since countermeasures generally are not deployed during the boost phase, the missile presents a single target for engagement. [v] , [vi] The ability to avoid discrimination that all mid-course intercepts require is particularly valuable. According to a 1999 National Intelligence Estimate, countries with the capability of building long-range missiles also have the capability to build countermeasures to defeat such discrimination. [vii]

Boost presents different challenges to an intercepting system. Because of the short duration of threat missile boost—no more than five minutes for most missiles, and as short as three minutes for faster-burning solid-propellant threats—the engagement timeline for BPI is short. Further, the missile defense system must be in range of the threat trajectory at the time of launch. Effective targeting requires continual observation of the adversary’s missile systems, and the kill vehicle must be able to withstand the physical stresses associated with engaging a rapidly accelerating missile. Together, these complications constrain boost-phase systems to specific geographic conditions. Smaller adversary countries enable BPI, as interceptors can maintain station closer to potential launch sites within the country. Features such as allied countries or open water for basing interceptors nearby also enhance boost-phase opportunities. A BPI system based on existing or near-term naval capabilities could provide defense against intermediate- and intercontinental-range ballistic missiles under the correct geographic conditions.

Such conditions exist surrounding the Korean peninsula. [viii] Improving the U.S. Navy Aegis missile defense capability against intermediate-range ballistic missiles and developing an airborne BPI system could provide the United States with an improved ability to defend assets in theater while simultaneously providing a homeland defense capability against North Korean ICBM threats. The sooner the United States invests in this capability the better.
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I have long favored boost phase missile defense.  It especially makes sense around the Korean peninsula.   Ships and submarines should be able to get in range of enemy targets and observation of the lift off is not that challenging.  The ability to destroy a missile and its warhead before it can deploy decoys makes it even more valuable.

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