Obama should back Kinetic Energy Interceptor

ARLINGTON, Va., April 23 (UPI) -- To pursue a boost-phase strategy of effective, multilayered ballistic missile defense for the United States, the new administration of President Barack Obama will have to invest in other systems in addition to the Ground-based Midcourse Interceptors that are currently mainly deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska.

One potential candidate is the Airborne Laser. Not only could the ABL engage ballistic missiles in their boost phase, it could also address other types of targets. Clearly, the Airborne Laser has the advantage of strategic mobility and tactical flexibility. Any major airfield can serve as a forward deployment base for the Airborne Laser.

Another candidate with a great deal of promise is the Kinetic Energy Interceptor. The KEI has the advantage of being the first missile-defense system to have been designed from the start free of the constraints imposed by the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Unlike the Ground-based Midcourse Interceptor, the Kinetic Energy Interceptor can be deployed in a mobile configuration. Like the ABL, the KEI does not require an external sensor to perform an engagement.

Potential deployment sites can be pre-surveyed. Reassurance could be provided by periodic deployment exercises. A sea-based variant is also an option.

The Kinetic Energy Interceptor has both the range and speed to be a highly effective interceptor in the boost/ascent phase. It could supplement a European third site for Ground-based Midcourse Interceptors such as the one that the Bush administration wanted to construct in Poland or the U.S. Navy's warship-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, or it could provide a stand-alone capability.

Deployment of a serious boost-phase system could pose a significant deterrent to the plans by countries such as North Korea and Iran to develop long-range ballistic missiles. A boost-phase system presents would-be proliferators with the reality that the defense will be able to take multiple shots at any attacker, significantly increasing the chances of interception.

With a boost-phase defense against intercontinental ballistic missiles in place, mid-course and terminal countermeasures against anti-ballistic missile interceptors become largely irrelevant. Also, the attacker must consider the possibility that debris from a successful hit by the defense on his own intercontinental ballistic missile will land in his lap.

Credible options exist to build a layered missile defense system against intercontinental ballistic missiles around highly effective terminal systems and one or more boost/ascent-phase systems.

The mobility inherent in the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the Airborne Laser and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor would support the development of operational concepts and support security policies that fit the demands and constraints of the 21st century. In addition, it is possible to conceive of arms-control regimes for mobile defenses that ensure stability and predictability while also providing reassurance to friends and allies.

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(Daniel Goure is vice president of the Lexington Institute, an independent think tank in Arlington, Va.)

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(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)