National Missile Defense

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US programme to create a system to defend the USA against a limited strategic ballistic missile attack. NMD is a much reduced version of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). It involves launching interceptor missiles from the ground, using land-based radars and space-based infrared sensors to guide them to destroy incoming long-range missiles. The NMD initiative is overseen by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), set up in 1993.

Since the end of the Cold War, the main threat to the USA is felt to come from nations such as Iran and North Korea, which are soon likely to have the potential to hit US targets with nuclear missiles. The system also aims to protect against a small accidental or unauthorised launch of strategic-ballistic missiles from nuclear capable states.

The launch of a rocket by North Korea in August 1998 led to an increase in funding for the NMD. However, in September 2000, following the failure of the exoatmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) to hit its target in two of the first three tests, President Bill Clinton deferred a decision on deployment. President George W Bush supports early deployment, once a reliable system has been developed. NMD's deployment would breach the 1972 US–Russian Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty, under which the USA and the Soviet Union agreed that neither would build a comprehensive defence against the other's long-range nuclear arsenal.

The flag was selected following a design competition. The waves represent the Pacific Ocean. Effective date: 12 July 1979. >>