Missile defenseSystem that destroys attacking missilesThe Arrow 2 anti-ballistic missileThe Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. A RIM-161 Standard Missile 3anti-ballistic missile is launched from USS Shiloh, a US NavyTiconderoga-classcruiser.Phased ArrayBallistic Missile Early Warning System at RAF FylingdalesMissile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception, and also the destruction of attacking missiles.
United States national missile defenseNational missile defense (NMD) refers to the nationwide antimissile program the United States has had under development since the 1990s. After the renaming in 2002, the term now refers to the entire program, not just the ground-based interceptors and associated facilities. Other elements that could potentially be integrated into NMD include anti-ballistic missiles, or sea-based, space-based, laser, and high altitude missile systems.
Missile Defense AgencyThe Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a component of the United States Department of Defense responsible for developing a comprehensive defense against ballistic missiles. It had its origins in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which was established in 1983 by Ronald Reagan and which was headed by Lt. General James A. Abrahamson.
United States ArmyThe United States Army (U.S. Army) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is designated as the army of the United States in the United States Constitution. As a part of the United States Department of Defense, it is one of the six armed forces of the United States and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Founded in 1784, it succeeded the Continental Army, formed in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War.
Intercontinental ballistic missileAn intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi), primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery (delivering one or more thermonuclear warheads). Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons can also be delivered with varying effectiveness but have never been deployed on ICBMs.
United States Space ForceThe United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and was established on 20 December 2019. Part of the United States Department of Defense, it is one of the six armed forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the second independent space force to have been formed, after the Russian Space Forces; together with that of China, it is one of only two still extant.
United States Air ForceThe United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is a part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and is one of the six armed forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its origins to 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the Air Force was established by transfer of personnel from the Army Air Forces with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947.
Anti-ballistic missileAn anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a surface-to-air missile designed to destroy in-flight ballistic missiles. They achieve this explosively (chemical or nuclear), or via hit-to-kill kinetic vehicles, which may also have self-maneuvering capabilities. Tactical systems are widely deployed to counter short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles that carry conventionalwarheads.
Ballistic missileA ballistic missile is a type of missile that follows a ballistic trajectory and is powered only during a relatively brief initial period—most of the flight is unpowered. Short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) typically stay within the Earth's atmosphere, while most larger missiles travel outside the atmosphere. The type of ballistic missile with the greatest range is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The largest ICBMs are capable of full orbital flight.
Nuclear weaponA nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either nuclear fission (fission or atomic bomb) or a combination of fission and nuclear fusion reactions (thermonuclear weapon), producing a nuclear explosion. Both bomb types release large quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. Nuclear warfare is widely considered a global catastrophic risk.
WarheadA warhead is the section of a device that contains the explosive agent or toxic (biological, chemical, or nuclear) material that is delivered by a missile, rocket, torpedo, or bomb. ClassificationTypes of warheads include: Explosive: An explosive charge is used to destroy the target and damage surrounding areas with a blast wave. Conventional: Chemicals such as gunpowder and high explosives store significant energy within their molecular bonds.Biological warfareUse of strategically designed biological weaponsU.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jess V. Hernandez, right, assigned to the 119th Maintenance Squadron, leads Airmen through extreme cold, harsh winds and snow on their way to chemical and biological warfare trainingBiological warfare, also known as germ warfare, is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria (bacteriological warfare), viruses, insects, and fungi with the intent to kill, harm or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.
Chemical warfareUsing poison gas or other toxins in warFrom top, left to right Sarin bomblets for use on the Honest John rocketWhite phosphorus explosion during training at Edgewood ArsenalIranian soldier wearing gas mask during the Iran–Iraq WarPostwar disposal of mustard gas produced by Japan on Ōkunoshima during World War IIFrench gas attack in Flanders, World War ITear gas used in Incheon during the June Democratic Struggle*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.