WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) Space-based capabilities will be a key point of emphasis in the new US Missile Defense Review (MDR), a senior administration official said during a conference call.
"Space-based capabilities are a significant point of emphasis, it's something we want to invest in," the official said on Wednesday. "We think that's very important for going beyond the current types of capabilities we have. Space is key to the next step of missile defense."
The MDR will call for further studies into missile defense concepts such as space-based interceptors or direct-energy satellites (lasers), but it will not direct the development of anything specific, the official said.
The United States is looking into a concept of having a layer of satellites in space to help get early warning detection when missiles are launched, the official said.
The new MDR will present a new strategy and posture that will set the path to strengthen the United States' current missile defense capabilities and make the case for urgent investment into new one, the official added.
On Thursday morning at the Pentagon, US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and other senior US military officials will present the 2019 Missile Defense Review. The previous US missile defense review to be put out was in 2010, the official noted.
