Posted on 03/16/2005 6:18:50 PM PST by wagglebee
If nuclear missiles were suddenly fired at the United States from North Korea, the U.S. is ready to shoot them down.
That's the opinion of Major Gen. John Holly, head of the missile-shield program for the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency.
"If directed, we could provide a limited defense against an attack out of Northeast Asia," Holly told Alaska lawmakers, according to the Associated Press.
But he also acknowledged it would have to be a small attack, since there are only eight interceptor missiles in place in Alaska and California.
Fort Greely, Alaska, currently houses six interceptors, with another 10 expected by the end of the year. Vandenberg Air Force Base in California has two interceptors.
Even though President Bush has not declared the system operational, Holly said it could be switched on during an emergency situation.
The program has seen both successes and failures in its testing, with consecutive failures in recent months. In December and February, interceptor missiles failed to launch in attempts to hit targets over the Pacific Ocean.
"Those are very disappointing events. Neither of them dealt with fundamental design issues of the overall system," Holly said, attributing the failures to a software glitch and a faulty retracting arm.
The glitches came under scrutiny in Washington this week, as the Pentagon defended the missile-defense program to lawmakers.
"I have a real problem that a latch did not fall away – that seems so elementary," said Rep. Terry Everett, R-Ala., who chairs the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee.
"This stuff costs an awful lot of money, and we have to have some results," Everett said, according to CongressDaily.
It costs the federal government between $80 million and $100 million for each full test, and Holly said the failed tests cost $20 million to $30 million less.
Not everyone at the Pentagon is as optimistic as Holly about the readiness of the shield.
David Duma, acting director of operational test and evaluation, said system is not operationally ready.
"We don't have a demonstrated capability from detection to negating the incoming threat," he said, according to CongressDaily. But Duma added he was encouraged by developments in the last year, which are leading to more realistic testing.
Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, is among those questioning the recent failures, but still expressed support for the program.
"We should not pretend that [this] is an all-star system when it is still in development in the minor leagues," Reyes said. "You can ruin a ballplayer by rushing him to the big leagues, and you can ruin this system by making it run before it can even prove it can walk."
Which is precisely why Congress needs to fund more.
Exactly...he says we "can" shoot down the missiles, not that we would most definitely hit them. More $$$ please.
I'd vote to cancel the NEA, NEH and NPR and use the savings to buy more interceptors. Let the libs fund their own art shows and radio programs.
We also don't have any to spare to prevent an incoming Korean missile from wiping out substantial parts of Canada.
I'd vote to eliminate these leftist programs no matter what, and I would also add the entire Department of Education to the list.
Arrgghh! Duma's statement is in agreement with MG Holly's. Both agree that the system is not operational, yet both also agree that the system has some limited capability.
(directed at the author, not you Argus)
Ka-Ping!
If there's any growth industry on the planet these days it's missile interception.
"I'd vote to eliminate these leftist programs no matter what, and I would also add the entire Department of Education to the list."
I agree. We can always fund education through an educational tax credit until it's phased out over a period of, say, 10 years. Vouchers should never become a reality as it is an income redistribution scheme.
Yes, programs are in production, with upgrades being implemented, and you don't do this stuff fast unless you want it to fail. They are really not operational until a crew can man the radars with missiles (interceptors) ready to fire. This could take some time, but the technology is good enough for the NK type incoming.
Education should never have become a federal concern, it should be left up to the individual states. If the Founding Fathers didn't see a need for a federal department 200 years ago, we don't need it now.
Um, am I wrong in thinking it's not exactly a good idea to have advertised just exactly how many interceptor missiles we have in place?
I admit I just skimmed through this article but it sounds like it says go ahead and try to strike.
Since we could only defend against a little bitty attack and it may not work after all, etc.
I'd vote to eliminate these leftist programs no matter what, and I would also add the entire Department of Education to the list.
And rescind the drug "benefit."
Farm subsidies, the earned income tax credit, hell the whole IRS.
Exactly right -
I have to believe the number is deliberately understated for some reason unknown to us. Why would we advertise our abilities to our enemies?
One other point, it warms my heart to know that this is a big part of the Gipper's legacy. We will benefit from that great patriot in many ways for years to come. May Ronald Reagan rest in peace.
Pinging Heaven... Is Ronald Wilson Reagan handy? :D
All I can say is Silvestre Reyes is a first class A-Hole.
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