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Secret Studies Find Serious Problems in Plan for Europe-Based Missile Shield to Protect U.S.

Feb. 9, 2013 11:33am Liz Klimas

Classified Studies About Missile Shield in Europe to Protect U.S. Find Flaws

(Image: mda.mil)

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Secret Defense Department studies cast doubt on whether a multibillion-dollar missile defense system planned for Europe can ever protect the U.S. from Iranian missiles as intended, congressional investigators say.

Military officials say they believe they can overcome the problems and are moving forward with plans. But proposed fixes could prove difficult. One possibility has been ruled out as technically unfeasible. A second, relocating missile interceptors planned for Poland and possibly Romania to ships on the North Sea, could be diplomatically troublesome.

The studies are the latest to highlight serious problems for a plan that has been criticized on several fronts.

President Barack Obama won approval from NATO in 2010 to build a missile shied over Europe, but Republicans have claimed it was developed hastily in an attempt to appease Russia, which had opposed an earlier system. But Russia is also critical of the plan, which it believes is really intended to counter its missiles. A series of governmental and scientific reports has raised questions about whether it would ever work as planned.

At a time that the military faces giant budget cuts, the studies could lead Congress to reconsider whether it is worthwhile to spend billions for a system that may not fulfill its original goals.

Here’s a bit of information about how the Ballistic Missile Defense System — “an integrated, ‘layered’ architecture that provides multiple opportunities to destroy missiles and their warheads before they can reach their targets” — works according to its website:

networked sensors (including space-based) and ground- and sea-based radars for target detection and tracking;

ground- and sea-based interceptor missiles for destroying a ballistic missile using either the force of a direct collision, called “hit-to-kill” technology, or an explosive blast fragmentation warhead;

and a command, control, battle management, and communications network providing the operational commanders with the needed links between the sensors and interceptor missiles.

The classified studies were summarized in a briefing for lawmakers by the Government Accountability Office, Congress’ nonpartisan investigative and auditing arm, which is preparing a report. The GAO briefing, which was not classified, was obtained by The Associated Press.

Military officials declined repeated requests to discuss the studies on the record, noting they were classified. Even speaking on condition of anonymity, officials declined to say whether the GAO accurately had reported its conclusions. But the briefing had been reviewed by several Defense Department officials and the revisions they requested were incorporated. There was no indication they had objected to how the studies had been described.

The officials who spoke to the AP emphasized that the interceptor intended to protect the United States is in the early stages of development and its capabilities are not known. They said that the U.S. is already protected by other missile defense systems. Even if European-based interceptors are unable to directly defend the United States, they say they would protect not only European allies and U.S. troops stationed on the continent, but also U.S. radars there that are necessary for all U.S. missile defense plans.

Missile defense has been a contentious issue since President George W. Bush sought to base long-range interceptors in Central Europe to stop missiles from Iran. Some Democrats criticized the plans, saying they were rushed and based on unproven technology. Russia believed the program was aimed at countering its missiles and undermining its nuclear deterrent.

It might seem logical for the U.S. to want to have a defense against Russian missiles, but it’s not that simple.

A new missile defense system aimed at Russia could undermine the balance between the nuclear powers, leading Moscow to add to its arsenal and build up its own defenses. It would undermine prospects for further cuts in nuclear weapons, which are a priority for Obama, and could hurt U.S.-Russian cooperation on other issues of international importance.

Visiting NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow speaks during his press conference in Moscow, on May 3, 2012. Russia said today its dispute with the United States over missile defence was near a “dead end” and warned it might have to deploy new rockets in Europe to take out elements of the controversial shield. (Photo: YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/GettyImages)

Obama reworked the plans soon after taking office in 2009, saying the threat from long-range Iranian missiles was years off. His plans called for slower interceptors that could address Iran’s medium-range missiles. The interceptors would be upgraded gradually over four phases, culminating early next decade with those intended to protect both Europe and the United States.

The plans have gained momentum in Europe with the signing of basing agreements in Poland, Romania and Turkey, and the backing by NATO.

Russia initially welcomed the plan, but now strongly opposes it, especially the interceptors in the final stage. Russia fears those interceptors could catch its intercontinental missiles launched at the U.S.

It is that fourth stage that is now at issue.

The GAO investigators said that the classified reports by the Missile Defense Agency concluded that Romania was a poor location for an interceptor to protect the U.S. It said the Polish site would work only if the U.S. developed capabilities to launch interceptors while an Iranian missile was in its short initial phase of powered flight.

But the administration is not pursuing that capability because it does not believe it is feasible, according to one senior defense official.

The military has considered deploying interceptors on ships, but the Navy has safety concerns that have not yet been resolved. The suggestion of attempting intercepts from ships on the North Sea probably would aggravate tensions with Russia. That could put it right in the path that some Russian ICBMs would use, further reinforcing Russia’s belief that it, not Iran, is the target of the system.

The GAO investigators also took the administration to task for not conducting studies earlier that could have revealed the problems. Reports by the GAO and scientific bodies advising the government have raised other concerns about the missile shield, citing production glitches, cost overruns, problems with radars and sensors that cannot distinguish between warheads and other objects.

One report by the National Academy of Sciences recommended canceling the fourth phase of the system and deploying the interceptors to the East Coast.

The GAO study was requested by Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, who until recently led a panel that oversees missile defense. He said he is concerned that the interceptor in development might be useless in protecting the United States.

“This report really confirms what I have said all along: that this was a hurried proposal by the president,” he said.

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Comments (34)

Saff SGT
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 7:43pm
deport those who voted for Obama problem fixed or half of it

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- Xylliab_of_the_Znarghh
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 12:36am
  You can’t deport citizens. Even if it weren’t illegal and unconstitutional, since most of them were born here and have never been citizens of any other country, nobody else has to take them. And what the hell is a SAFF Sergeant, anyway? Are you connected with the South Asian Football Federation? The South Australian Farmers Federation? The Svenska Amerikansk Fotbollförbundet? The South Asian Film Festival? The Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair? Because those are the only SAFFs I’ve ever heard of, but I can’t imagine why the employees of any of those organizations would employ any form of paramilitary nomenclature.
  
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Arshloch
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 1:24pm
When a country elects an ed-u-kat-ed charleton, who is incompetent, obnoxious, tyranical and has, for friends and advisors, an assortment of communist, islamist, and just plain fools for friends, this result is the best one can expect. Everything else is all down hill.

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- TrueAmerican1775
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 2:01pm
  Well said but I would only add that counting on Europe for any help or protection is really a bad idea. The only thing to count on those nations for is more problems for us to clean up.
  
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G-WHIZ
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 11:47am
1—This was not a”proposal”…it was an EDICT!!
2—As with all his junk….IT WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL TO SHOW THE U.S.A. AS INCOMPITANT AND WEAK!!

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:49am
Martin Sheen did a better job just acting like a POTUS and got more done, than 0 in 4 years. Incompetent community organizer
What the hell, is that really a party planner job for lawyers??
I’m tellin ya’ll it’s sabotage.

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bikerdogred1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 9:12pm
Is it plugged in?

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spfoam1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 2:19pm
The bob and weave continues.

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watashbuddyfriend
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:06pm
Look at the leadership, and go figure!

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- pavepaws
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 4:54pm
  “Russia fears those interceptors could catch its intercontinental missiles launched at the U.S.” DUH.
  Sounds like a good plan to me. Everyone is afraid of offending Russia and derailing future cooperation, but if the Russian aholes really are afraid of having their missles intercepted when launched against the US then I think cooperation is in jeopardy already. Screw them.
  
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Advection
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:49pm
Appease Russia? Yeah, that should be our “defense” goal.

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- Shasta
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 1:57pm
  And O sold out the UK to please his masters in Russia.
  
  Report this comment
- Bum thrower
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:51am
  I think BHO was caught on tape saying that before the election….
  
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EllieR
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:46pm
Whatever Obama touches turns into crap.
The rule of thumb: listen to what the POtuS proposes and do the opposite. Can’t go wrong.

“It would undermine prospects for future cuts in nuclear weapons, which are priority for Obama, and could hurt U.S.-Russian cooperation on other issues of international importance.”

We know Obama’ s priority is to fundamentally transform America, I.e., turn into a pussified nanny -state ruled by the UN and commies. What’s new? All I want to know is what important cooperation they are talking about.

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- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 8:39am
  Layer system got me. These guys can barely fly drones. They don’t understand weaponry. Russian slave however do. Turns out they are puppet masters too. Remember bengazi.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:45pm
Remember Obama’s statement of “Wait til I am reelected and I will have more flexibility…”

Guess we are now seeing it come about, I do not doubt someone instructed this series of studies to be falsified and deliberately skewed to ensure they will be rejected for his allies in communist Russia.

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Chromo200
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:33pm
What is interesting is that if there a missile attack on the US the POTUS and his family and socialist buddies will be affected too. Why he wold not have a great defense is beyond me.

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The Big Mick
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:28pm
I would suggest this is a Non-Solution Solution that is consistent with the Racist-Collectivist Vision of the Van Jones Doctrine, aka “Eff Whitey”. This is like exactly like Vaccinating ALL Infants for Sexual Transmitted Diseases because The Medical Industrial Government Complex knows all the White Trash and Blackho Baby Mommas ain’t gonna get themselves taken care of or their Hostobe taken care of later and it ain’t politically correct to TARGET the ACTUAL PROBLEM which is White Trash and Blackho Hos, all the other Sexpervs, aka Prhomos, and The Druggies.
So the actual PERPS WALK while the Rest of us Pay and Give our Children Autism by vaccinating them for STDs and 50 other things before they’re TWO. As far as THAT goes at least THIS stupidity HAS a “study”. The ACTUAL EFFECTS of the Massive Amounts of Infant Vaccines in Combination have NEVER, that’s NEVER NEVER NEVER been ACTUALLY STUDIED with Double Blind Studies using Volunteer Unvaccinated Control Groups.
And before you think/say/write “off topic, moron”, my POINT is that the PRINCIPLE should be TARGET the PROBLEM, BLOW AWAY the PERP, SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL, PRO-ACTIVE solutions NOT COLLECTIVE ones.
Application–DESTROY IRAN!!! Problem Solved. And if NK doesn’t learn. THEY’RE NEXT! West Coast Problem SOLVED.
This will probably also solve the Sandyknicker JihadiNazi problem as well.
Cont.

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- LEFTIST_CLOWNS_AND_FAR_RIGHT_JOKERS
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:48pm
  Aontaím leat.
  
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- ENIGMA28724
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 4:10pm
  The only thing these people respect is power and the willingness to use it. If we could convince the rogue nations we are just crazy enough to turn them into a sea of glass, all these state sponsored terrorist acts against the US and our interests would cease. And I expect a lot of the non-state sponsored acts would stop too, as no nation would want to be destroyed because of the acts of rogue terrorists.
  
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HOOT_OWL
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:27pm
I don’t know, it looks like ‘DAD’ likes leaving the ‘back door’ unlocked to me.

Just call me paranoid ,must be that red-headed step-child syndrome… I keep hearing about.

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Tigress1
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:22pm
” Russia fears those interceptors could catch its intercontinental missiles launched at the U.S.”

Why on earth would Russia want to launch missiles at the U.S.? Russia is no longer a threat according to Obama! The Cold War is so passe.

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LEFTIST_CLOWNS_AND_FAR_RIGHT_JOKERS
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:14pm
There is a better and much more satisfying way of protecting ourselves from any possible missiles from Iran…

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- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:28pm
  d’accord
  
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- LEFTIST_CLOWNS_AND_FAR_RIGHT_JOKERS
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:46pm
  A BIG MICK writing French? Say it isn’t so? I tend to think Aontaím leat might work better with a BIG MICK.
  
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zetuff
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:13pm
Koran 9:5 “Kill Jews and Christians wherever you find them”.

A Muslim Brotherhood operative for CIA Director and a Muslim president in the White House. America is being destroyed from the inside.

Abu Baseer in London: “One of the goals of immigration is the revival of the duty of jihad and enforcement of power over the infidels. Immigration and jihad go together.

Hillary Clinton clearly plans to run for the presidency in 2016. Her very close assistant is also Muslim Brotherhood.

Founder of Islam, Mohammed: “I have been made victorious with terror”, “Wage war on the infidel and kill them until Islam is dominant” (Koran 8:39)

Devout Muslim President Obama is determined to disarm Americans and render Americans defenseless prey against multiple enemies
http://www.barenakedislam.com/2013/02/08/did-you-know-that-john-brennan-nominee-for-cia-director-is-a-muslim-convert-who-was-turned-to-islam-by-the-muslim-brotherhood/

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OldSurfRat
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:12pm
Here is the problem.
The missiles are based in europe so they dont work as often or as hard.
Must be a missile union thing.

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- The Big Mick
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:29pm
  oh well played, Moondoggie!
  
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PAUL GULLO
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 12:11pm
The missile defense technology for I.C.B.M can only intercept small quantities of incoming targets , like one or two, maybe . It can not at our current technology intercept large volleys of incoming warheads like what would come from a Russian or Chinese Missile with multiple independently targeted re- entry vehicles. As far as I know the Iranians do not have this technology. I’m more worried about tactical nukes from theses guys. But the science of the missile defense system is cool.

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- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 3:36pm
  It is true, that the system as it currently exists could not avert a nuclear war, perhaps mitigate some damage, but that isn’t of much comfort. I remember some of the old defense systems they were considering, a lot of them involved using nuclear warheads to intercept missiles in the exosphere.
  
  But, I digress. While it may not be able to accomplish the lofty goal of it’s creation now, an ICBM shield is the only way we can truly curb the race for states to get their hands on these devices and the capability to launch them. After all, who wouldn’t want the single most destructive weapon in the world that currently nobody can defend against? You want to protect against the sword, get yourself a shield.
  
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ZAP
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:56am
Obamie knows this won’t work.Just wasting some money till One World Government is established….

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- Shasta
  Posted on February 9, 2013 at 2:02pm
  Multiculturalism has failed miserably both in Europe and here, so sure, lets expand it to the entire world with OWO.
  
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gyro
Posted on February 9, 2013 at 11:51am
Lets see children in pakistan are not getting polio vaccination because no one will spend a little money on protecting the nurses but obama will waist billions on this and it is junk?
Perfect world we live in ~
:)

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- ENIGMA28724
  Posted on February 10, 2013 at 4:04pm
  Shouldn’t that be Pakistan’s problem to solve? We are not the world’s doctor, and shouldn’t be their policeman unless it protects our interests.
  
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