Does the United States need space-based weapons? (CADRE paper) Spacy, William L

Description

While there is a growing literature about the need for weapons in space or, conversely the need to ensure that space remains a weapons-free sanctuary, little has been written about what space-based weapons can and cannot bring to the battlefield. The author evaluates the theoretical capabilities of orbital weapons (as of the turn of the century) and compares them to weapons already in existence and to emerging concepts proposed for development. His primary objective is to suggest where future investments should be made if the United States is to protect its increasingly important space-based assets. (Originally published by Air University Press)