There are, moreover, other ways to provide such a defense -- notably, from the sea using modified AEGIS fleet air defense ships -- that could enable a national missile defense to be fielded for a fraction of the cost of the ground-based system.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sea-Based Missile Defenses -- for the Allies, for the U.S.

The latter considerations argue for an aggressive near-term effort to adapt the Navy's AEGIS fleet air defense ships for this purpose.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

This will require immediately expanding the number of Navy ships with the Aegis fleet air defense system that are equipped to intercept ship-launched ballistic missiles.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Mortal threat