I didn't know we were that far along with a shield. If so, that's great news.
Do you have the particulars - type of intercepters, number of missles ready to rock 'n roll; are they located on our perimeter?
I'm not a spy - really. I'm just curious about the system.
They are mostly in Alaska. California will have a smaller number. 20 is the number in the current construction contract.
Here's an article from India times. So they are not being too secretive about it. They are planning 6 interceptors for Alaska, but given the threats China has made, they better put a couple in Portland and in LA.
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US lowers first ground-based interceptor in silo at Fort Greely
Aug 18, 2004 08:06:00 AM
Washington, Aug 18 (PTI) United States has lowered the first ground-based interceptor into a silo at Fort Greely, Alaska, a location nicknamed as the first line in America's missile defence.
US President George W. Bush said that Boeing engineers had lowered a missile into a silo at Fort Greely where five more ground-based interceptors (GBI) would be deployed to protect threats from countries like North Korea.
"It's the beginning of a missile defense system that was envisioned by Ronald Reagan, a system necessary to protect us against the threats of the 21st century," Bush said in his address to engineers at defence contractor Boeing's unit in Pennsylvania.
"We want to continue to perfect this system, so we say to those tyrants who believe they can blackmail America and the free world: 'You fire, we're going to shoot it down'," he said.
An additional ten GBIs are scheduled to be added at Fort Greely by end of 2005.
The interceptors form a major part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defence system.
If all goes as planned, the GBIs by September-end, will be connected to a web of satellites and radars that will continously scan the globe for incoming threats.
In case an enemy missile is detected, the command and control center will relay its launch command, and the designated GBI will blast out of its silo to hit the target. PTI
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