Safeguard ABM system

"As a result of the Antiballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, the United States developed the Safeguard ABM system and deployed a limited number of missile interceptors around its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos in North Dakota while the Soviet Union deployed its limited ABM assets around its national command authority in Moscow." [1]

Cost and "technology woes" plagued Safeguard. Donald Rumsfeld, the former GOP "Congressman from Illinois, knew it. Even worse, the Soviets were rendering Safeguard useless by putting multiple warheads atop each of their missiles. After three months as Defense Secretary, under orders from Congress, Rumsfeld shut it down." [2]

Related SourceWatch articles

• Proliferation Security Initiative
• weaponization of space

External links

• Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (May 26, 1972).
• Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., "Bush, Missile Defense, & the Critics," Commentary Magazine, February 17, 2001.
• Mark Thompson, "The Secretary of Missile Defense. When it comes to the new 'space shield', Donald Rumsfeld is both architect and evangelist. Will this costly idea fly?," Time, May 14, 2001.
• Lester W. Grau and Jacob W. Kipp, "Maintaining Friendly Skies. Rediscovering Theater Aerospace Defense," Aerospace Power Journal, Summer 2002.