The boost phase of a short-range 600-km theater missile lasts for approximately one minute.
The initial, boost phase is the best time for defenders to achieve interception, because the lofting missile is relatively easy to track and one hit may kill multiple warheads.
During the boost phase, missiles move relatively slowly.
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Let the Missile Defense Debate Begin!
Boost-phase defense, which is necessary to counter such a threat, was not technologically feasible at that time.
He also emphasized the need for boost-phase defenses, for which sea-, air- and space-based weapons will be necessary.
Thus, boost-phase interception requires very prompt detection of a missile launch -- which adverse cloud and weather conditions can make difficult or impossible.
Importantly, these intercepts took place during the boost-phase - a capability that means the missile and its deadly payload could be destroyed over the territory of a would-be attacker.
And then something that they would call the boost-phase missile defense, which would be ways of shooting down missiles when they're at their sort of most vulnerable phase of flight.
Particularly noteworthy in this regard, is the decision to all but cancel the promising Brilliant Pebbles space-based interceptor technology at the very moment that the Israeli government and the Western European Union (among others) are recognizing the indispensibility of the sort of boost-phase defense afforded by such a system.
He asserts that even if a missile interceptor succeeded in effecting a boost-phase "kill" on an incoming missile (that is during the early stage of its trajectory when it is moving relatively slowly, easily identified and vulnerable to destruction), its warhead might continue on and land in friendly territory with devastating effect.
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