Future Threats to Our Homeland Require Smart Investment Today

In the face of a fledgling missile threat from an increasingly ambitious North Korea, 16 years ago, our nation declared the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system (GMD) capable of conducting limited defensive operations to defeat a ballistic missile attack against the United States. This limited capability rested precariously on the tips of five Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs).

The reality is, our adversaries' ever-expanding capabilities now require the U.S. military to think strategically about its next round of investment.

North Korea now has achieved nuclear status, developed multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), initiated a submarine-launched ballistic missile program, and just this past week rolled out a new missile that experts believe can attack with multiple nuclear warheads.

On the other side of Asia, Iran has demonstrated willingness and capability to fire ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the region while simultaneously pursuing a space launch program – a clear stepping-stone to an ICBM program.

Twenty years ago, we accelerated the development and fielding of the GMD system and accepted GBI design limitations. Those limitations and the need to upgrade the interceptors spawned the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) and the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) programs; however, last year, the Pentagon terminated both programs for technical reasons.

So here we are, 16 years into the game with 44 ‘mature birds’ and at least one opponent who can range our homes – possibly with multiple nuclear-tipped missiles.

We will not debate the decision to terminate RKV and initiate the Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI), but we must emphasize the emerging threat may challenge our current inventory of aging GBIs. Time truly is of the essence. 

With NGI anticipated to be fielded in 2028, the important questions are: Do we have it right? What is most critical to NGI's success? What if we must defend the homeland before NGI arrives?

The simple answer: we need a better plan.

We are confident the engineers will build the NGI to stay apace of our adversaries' emerging countermeasures, as long as Congress fully funds the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) path to deployment.  With defense budgets under pressure, it is important to emphasize the need to stay on plan for this vital capability.

Even with a fully funded NGI, the best of interceptors will not be 100% successful. To protect our homeland, we need to advance our strategy for this critical mission and create a layered defense.

The good news is we already have systems that can deliver layers after we fire the first interceptor, be it a GBI or NGI — the Navy’s Aegis weapon system and Army’s THAAD system. This means a near-term layered homeland defense can be achieved without diverting significant investment from the much-needed NGI program.

Aegis' Standard Missile (S.M.) interceptors have exceptional range, possess a lethal kill vehicle, are in production today, and have a spectacular track record of success. The integration of Aegis ships with SM-3 Block IIA interceptors could contribute to homeland defense today. Maturing this capability to establish two to four Aegis Ashore sites within the United States would provide a greater, persistent contribution and not take a decade to field.

THAAD has demonstrated capability versus Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles so that it may have the potential for ICBM defense, as well. MDA is already looking at how THAAD can contribute to a layered defense, even if THAAD only provides a niche capability for small but vital regions of the U.S.

A layered homeland defense architecture must include the right array of sensors. Now is the time to commit to the next epoch of missile defense sensors – a space layer with the ability to "discriminate" complex attacks with countermeasures. A space sensor constellation will enable a layered homeland defense and support all regional combatant commanders who face a ballistic missile threat today.

Further, as the U.S. fields a layered homeland defense against ballistic missiles, we must keep an eye on "what's next." There is a compelling need to begin pursuing a High-Velocity Interceptor (HVI) with the ability to intercept ICBMs early in their trajectory. This capability would complement, not replace, an adequate future NGI inventory. Notably, this is not exotically new or hard – it was originally the 2009 vision for the SM-3 IIB interceptor. An HVI could enable engaging ballistic missiles at multiple stages of flight: in the ascent phase, before GBI/NGI employment, and as a final layer after GBI/NGIs.

As we look to the future and defense of the homeland, a fully funded NGI program supported by a layered defense is not a luxury. Combined, they are a vital need. If deterrence fails, the last place we want to be is limited to only 44 aging interceptors and limited options. Yesterday’s technology simply won’t do the job.

With the volume and complexity of the threat increasing each day, the U.S. cannot afford to be limiting this Home Game to one inning.

Major General Punch Moulton (U.S. Air Force, Ret.) is a former Director for Operations at the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.  His Air Force career spanned over 33 years as a fighter pilot, staff officer, and commander with over three years assigned in Europe and eight years in the Pacific.  In uniform, General Moulton had twelve years of joint assignments in four Combatant Commands and the Joint Staff.  With missile defense experience for nearly 30 years, he has led and engaged with missile defense capabilities from the Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. Homeland; and he currently leads the Missile Defense Agency's biannual Missile Defense Wargame Campaign.  Punch is the Vice President for Defense Support and Cyber Strategies at Stellar Solutions, Inc.  

Major General Francis G. Mahon (U.S. Army, Ret.), is a former Director for Strategy, Policy, & Plans at NORAD-U.S. Northern Command.  His air and missile defense assignments also included Director for Test at the Missile Defense Agency, Commanding General of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command, and Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Air Defense Artillery School & Center.  Fran has over 34 years of experience:  in joint, combined, and inter-agency operations; developing operational requirements; testing and integrating new technologies; and developing tactics, techniques, and procedures for AMD operations.  He has commanded U.S. Army air and missile defense forces in Southwest Asia, Korea, and the United States; and served 4 years as an air and missile defense operations officer in Germany.  Fran is currently an independent aerospace defense contractor and a Stellar Advisor for Stellar Solutions, Inc.