As someone who had a front row seat supporting LTG James Abrahamson and the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) back in 1985, the importance of investing in a multi layered Ballistic Missile Defense system (Golden Dome or as President Reagan wanted, a system called GPALS - Global Protection Against Limited Strikes) is key. There is no doubt that investments I witnessed and participated 40 years ago provided the means to deploy systems used against ballistic missiles today. The USA must also invest in a multi layered CUAS and more importantly a C-UUV/AUV system! While lots of damage and disruption to military assets is being caused by (Airborne) UAS platforms deployed covertly by Ukraine and Israel against their enemies, the economic and supply chain damage by restricting and threatening Harbor and waterways is massive/catastrophic. Imagine the port of Los Angeles (largest economic seaport in the USA) closed for business! Threats will evolve and the USA, NATO and allies must stay vigilant and invest to keep pace. As the ancient philosopher Heraclitus said, “War is the mother of all things”.
Nathan, keep sharing your thoughts! We have lots of work to do.
Thanks Pete - I was planning on discussing the multi-domain (UUV/USV) nature of the problem as well but omitted for page length/brevity. You are 100% correct - we have a lot more waterfront to defend now.
Like the thoughts Nathan. But I was leaning more to the case of having both (C-UAS and BMD). Pondering: didn't BMD show its worth in being able to interecept at least some of the stuff being lobbed at Israel? Sure it's not perfect, but it could at least blunt some of the Chinese missiles being lobbed in the direction of the US navy (if space interceptors are employed) and reduce the load on Aegis systems at sea. Also - I do see the worth against countries like North Korea, forces them to invest in more ballistic missiles (and take money from other capabilities).
I believe the key takeaway here is that while BMD is certainly necessary, it's not sufficient. Golden Dome may be a good investment in the long run, but we have a gaping capability gap right now in CUAS that we need to plug very quickly.
The Golden Dome idea sounds like a latter day Strategic Defense Initiative. Somewhat ironic given how people are saying that Trump is so different from Reagan.
As someone who had a front row seat supporting LTG James Abrahamson and the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) back in 1985, the importance of investing in a multi layered Ballistic Missile Defense system (Golden Dome or as President Reagan wanted, a system called GPALS - Global Protection Against Limited Strikes) is key. There is no doubt that investments I witnessed and participated 40 years ago provided the means to deploy systems used against ballistic missiles today. The USA must also invest in a multi layered CUAS and more importantly a C-UUV/AUV system! While lots of damage and disruption to military assets is being caused by (Airborne) UAS platforms deployed covertly by Ukraine and Israel against their enemies, the economic and supply chain damage by restricting and threatening Harbor and waterways is massive/catastrophic. Imagine the port of Los Angeles (largest economic seaport in the USA) closed for business! Threats will evolve and the USA, NATO and allies must stay vigilant and invest to keep pace. As the ancient philosopher Heraclitus said, “War is the mother of all things”.
Nathan, keep sharing your thoughts! We have lots of work to do.
Cheers Pete
Thanks Pete - I was planning on discussing the multi-domain (UUV/USV) nature of the problem as well but omitted for page length/brevity. You are 100% correct - we have a lot more waterfront to defend now.
Like the thoughts Nathan. But I was leaning more to the case of having both (C-UAS and BMD). Pondering: didn't BMD show its worth in being able to interecept at least some of the stuff being lobbed at Israel? Sure it's not perfect, but it could at least blunt some of the Chinese missiles being lobbed in the direction of the US navy (if space interceptors are employed) and reduce the load on Aegis systems at sea. Also - I do see the worth against countries like North Korea, forces them to invest in more ballistic missiles (and take money from other capabilities).
I believe the key takeaway here is that while BMD is certainly necessary, it's not sufficient. Golden Dome may be a good investment in the long run, but we have a gaping capability gap right now in CUAS that we need to plug very quickly.
The Golden Dome idea sounds like a latter day Strategic Defense Initiative. Somewhat ironic given how people are saying that Trump is so different from Reagan.