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AssetID: 32103903

Headline: America's Nuclear Defence: In Pictures

Caption: PICTURE SHOWS: Nov 2015 - A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched from a THAAD battery located on Wake Island, during Flight Test Operational (FTO)-02 Event 2a. During the test, the THAAD system successfully intercepted two air-launched ballistic missile targets. ..... Could America defend itself against nuclear attack? The superpower relies on what it calls the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The images in this gallery show elements of the system being tested in recent years. Missile defense technology being developed, tested and deployed by the United States is designed to counter ballistic missiles of all ranges—short, medium, intermediate and long. Since ballistic missiles have different ranges, speeds, size and performance characteristics, the Ballistic Missile Defense System is an integrated, "layered" architecture that provides multiple opportunities to destroy missiles and their warheads before they can reach their targets. The system's architecture includes: - networked sensors (including space-based) and ground- and sea-based radars for target detection and tracking; - ground- and sea-based interceptor missiles for destroying a ballistic missile using either the force of a direct collision, called "hit-to-kill" technology, or an explosive blast fragmentation warhead; - and a command, control, battle management, and communications network providing the operational commanders with the needed links between the sensors and interceptor missiles. The Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is a complex system of elements and supporting efforts. The U.S. says integration of these many elements will "enable a robust, layered defense" to defend against a hostile missile in all phases of flight: boost, midcourse, and terminal. In a statement on their official website, the U.S. Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency points to two main countries of concern: North Korea and Iran. They explain: "Presently, sophisticated ballistic missile technology is available on a wider scale than ever to countries hostile to the U.S. and our allies. As those countries continue to develop and exchange this technology, there is also an increasing threat of those technologies falling into the hands of hostile non-state groups. Iran's ballistic missiles are capable of striking targets throughout the region, ranging as far as southeastern Europe. Iran is likely to continue developing more sophisticated missiles, with improved accuracy, range and lethality. North Korea has expanded the size and sophistication of its ballistic missile forces — from close-range ballistic missiles to ICBMs — and has conducted an unprecedented level of nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches since 2016." Missile defense elements are operated by United States military personnel from U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Japan, U.S. European Command and others. The United States has missile defense cooperative programs with a number of allies, including United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and many others. The Missile Defense Agency also actively participates in NATO activities to maximize opportunities to develop an integrated NATO ballistic missile defense capability.

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