National Missile Defense (NMD) Research Paper -- Military Integrated D

National Missile Defense National Missile Defense (NMD) is an extremely complex land-based ballistic missile system with the sole purpose of defending the United States against a ballistic missile attack from a foreign country. The NMD architecture consists of five main components. 1. Ground-Based Interceptors (GBI): The purpose of the GBI is to destroy the incoming nuclear weapon. The interceptor is a multistage rocket, which is launched after receiving a firing solution from the command and control system. After exiting the atmosphere, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) is released. This is the actual equipment that is to intercept the incoming warhead and destroy it by colliding with it. The EKV has on-board thrusters that enable it to change course if required to intercept the warhead. 2. Battle Management, Command, Control, and Communications (BM/C3): The BM/C3 component is divided into two main parts. First, the Command and Control (BM/C2) system controls the overall NMD system. Information from sensors is forwarded to the BM/C2, which processes the data and determines the targets for the GBI to intercept. Second, the In-Flight Interceptor Communications System (IFICS) is a network of ground systems that relay communications to the GBI while in flight to guide it to the incoming warhead. 3. X-Band/Ground-Based Radars: These radar systems gather tracking information regarding the incoming warheads during the mid-course phase of the missile. This data is then sent to the BM/C2, which in turn is sent to the GBI for guidance to intercept the warhead. 4. Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR): These radars systems detect targets near the horizon, early in the ballistic missi... ...s?† Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers. 29 Sep 1999. < http://www.clw.org/coalition/ucsnmd092999.htm> 5 Class Notes from website 6 Class Notes from website 7 Gronlund, Lisbeth. â€Å"The Planned US NMD System: Is the Technology Ready for Deployment? Will the Pentagon Know If It Is?† Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers. 29 Sep 1999. < http://www.clw.org/coalition/ucsnmd092999.htm> 8 Galum, John, Joshua Shakon and Tan Mau Wu. â€Å"National Missile Defense – A CS91 Final Project.† < http://www.cs.swarthmore.edu/~eroberts/cs91/projects/national-missile-defense/index.html> 9 Approaching Ethics, Class notes regarding instructions for the Ethical Decision-making Group Capture Worksheet 10 Approaching Ethics, Class notes regarding instructions for the Ethical Decision-making Group Capture Worksheet