U.S Missile Shield Won't Work, Scientist Group Says

[stevedeshazer]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The multibillion-dollar U.S. ballistic missile shield due to start operating by Sept. 30 appears incapable of shooting down any incoming warheads, an independent scientists' group said on Thursday.

A technical analysis found "no basis for believing the system will have any capability to defend against a real attack," the Union of Concerned Scientists said in a 76-page report titled "Technical Realities."

The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency rejected the report, whose authors included Philip Coyle, the Defense Department's top weapons tester under former President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 2001.

"Even the limited defense we are mounting provides a level of protection against an accidental or unauthorized (intercontinental ballistic missile) launch or a limited attack where we currently have no protection," said Richard Lehner, an agency spokesman. "It would be irresponsible to not make it available for the defense of our nation and our people."

more: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5136843

[jayfish]

1. Dupe.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=552112&mesg_id=552112

Jay