THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605160002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By JOHN E. CAREY
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Earlier this year, China conducted a coldly calculated campaign using ballistic missiles to threaten Taiwan. Being coerced by China because of a lack of ballistic-missile defenses makes no sense. The United States has already developed the tools to provide theater-ballistic-missile defense.
Systems to defend against ballistic missiles include a follow-on to Patriot called the Extended Range Interceptor (ERINT), which will give the U.S. Army a hit-to-kill interceptor that multiplies Patriot's effectiveness.
Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) is a new missile, launcher and phased-array radar developed that requires fewer transport aircraft than Patriot. This missile is in flight test now. Like ERINT, THAAD uses a hit-to-kill vehicle.
The U.S. Navy began experiments to assess the value of the Aegis combat system for ballistic-missile defense several years ago. In 1991, when ships in the Arabian Gulf tracked the Iraqi Scuds, it was clear the Navy had a major contribution to make to the mission of missile defense. An Aegis ship should be defending Taiwan today.
Every cruiser can carry 120 missiles, and the guided-missile destroyers carry 90. By capitalizing on the existing fleet of Aegis ships, a fleet of 42 cruisers and destroyers today with more destroyers in construction or planned, the nation can have a network of ballistic-missile killers in just a few years. Unlike ground systems, the ships are mobile and can often be positioned to attack ballistic missiles closer to their launch pads.
Since Desert Storm, Aegis computer programs modified for ballistic-missile defense have been tested. Near Wake Island, an Aegis ship detected and tracked an Air Force test launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base. This capability has also been demonstrated near Taiwan and in the waters adjacent to North Korea.
In October 1995, three Aegis ships demonstrated the ability to set in place a coordinated anti-ballistic-missile-defense architecture in the Arabian Gulf. Called ``Arabian Skies,'' the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Curtis Wilbur and cruisers Mobile Bay and Vicksburg responded to a simulated alert, quickly reconfigured their computer programs and tracked targets. The science adviser for the 5th Fleet called the demonstration ``breathtaking.''
In March 1996, USS Shiloh, commanded by Capt. Paul Schultz, showed off the coast of California exactly the same capability. Schultz said, ``We are trained, we have the capability and we are ready to do theater-ballistic-missile defense now. We need a missile quickly that can do the job.''
The Navy is evolving the standard missile to provide a defense against threats like Scud and the M-9. The Navy program includes development of a theaterwide interceptor. Using hit-to-kill technology, prototype interceptors have already been tested. In September 1992, the Navy demonstrated the capability to place a kill vehicle just outside Earth's atmosphere from a ship at sea. Called the Light Weight Exo-atmospheric Interceptor (LEAP), this interceptor is available now for missions like defense of Taiwan.
Cooperative engagement, an engineering marvel that allows ships to see targets and shoot them down using off-ship sensors, is a breakthrough and, in Defense Secretary William Perry's words, ``the biggest thing since Stealth.'' It is one example of the kind of technology that will allow for credible ballistic-missile defenses in the near future.
If we do the job correctly, these theater-ballistic-missile defenses, systems meant to defend Taiwan from China's M-9 for example, may also prove useful in defending the United States. Currently, there is absolutely no defense from long-range ballistic missiles that can reach America. Our only option, if attacked by long-range ballistic missiles, is to launch nuclear retaliatory strikes. A defense option is affordable and morally more attractive.
The nation needs to know that we are not talking about some ``Star Trek,'' far-out science project. The tools to provide a defensive system with confidence are available now. The Navy has already developed the radar, computer programs and missile launchers. The missile propulsion systems we need have already been developed and tested.
Russia, North Korea, China, Iran and Iraq are the leaders in developing weapons of mass destruction and the ballistic missiles to deliver them. As a nation, we need to make the commitment to provide a credible defense by investing in kill vehicles and by expediting our system-development efforts. MEMO: John Carey is an active-duty U.S. Navy commander. The opinions expressed
are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department
of Defense.
by CNB