WASHINGTON — The Associated Press reports that President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a revamped missile defense strategy.
In a speech at the Pentagon, Trump reportedly declared space as 'the new warfighting domain,' and says the U.S. is prepared to make use of it. The Donald claims the goal is to ensure 'Murica "can detect and destroy any missile launched against the United States — anywhere, anytime, anyplace."
There's no mention of Russia, China, or North Korea in the speech, but they're all countries that are developing advanced weapons systems.
Russia recently unveiled new strategic weapons that can't be intercepted, like a hypersonic glide vehicle which can fly 20 times faster than the speed of sound.
It's also capable of making sharp maneuvers to avoid detection by missile defense systems.
According to Michael Griffin, defense undersecretary for research engineering, a network of sensors and interceptors in space will be key to detecting hypersonic missiles in their early, vulnerable stages.
Voice of America reports that such technologies could detect an enemy missile launch much sooner. They can shoot it down in space or even as the missile is launching.
Democratic Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey immediately raised concerns over the plan, calling it a "bad Star Wars sequel." He claims Trump's "misguided rush to weaponize space" would be expensive, dangerous, and probably ineffective.
Sure, America may be facing a different missile threat environment now, but Markey says building a wall in space is not the answer.
SOURCES:
Associated Press, Voice of America, USA Today
https://apnews.com/33e12cf640a6408bb11aa3defa864966
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-to-unveil-space-based-missile-defense-strategy/4747188.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/17/space-force-donald-trump-missile-defense/2602115002/
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