Missile defense

Missile defense

Measures designed to detect, identify, track, and defeat attacking (ballistic) missiles in both strategic and theater tactical roles, during any portion of their flight trajectory (boost, post-boost, midcourse, or terminal) or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack.

Industry: Military

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Missile defense

ir electro-optics

Military; Missile defense

Technologies/techniques employed by optical sensors in the wavelength spectrum slightly longer than visible but shorter than radio.

security criteria

Military; Missile defense

The set of requirements that should be met so the security system can provide a maximum degree of effective deterrence at the lowest cost.

control procedure

Military; Missile defense

The means used to control the orderly communication of information between stations on a data link. Also called line discipline. (See Protocol.)

phased deployment

Military; Missile defense

The sequential steps of element deployments leading to a designated system capability that is realizable with fiscal and technological constraints.

missile payload

Military; Missile defense

1. The warhead, its container, and activating devices in a military missile. 2. The satellite or research vehicle of a space probe or research missile.

warning of attack

Military; Missile defense

A warning to national policymakers that an adversary is not only preparing its armed forces for war, but intends to launch an attack in the near future.

flexible response

Military; Missile defense

The capability of military forces for effective reaction to any enemy threat or attack with actions appropriate and adaptable to the circumstances existing.