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Strategic Defense Initiative: Changing Design and Technological Uncertainties Create Significant Risk

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Feb. 19, 1992
Report No. IMTEC-92-18
Subject
Summary:

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) has consumed billions of dollars and undergone repeated changes in its objectives and design during nearly a decade of research and development, yet the tremendous technical challenges still facing "Star Wars" increase the risk that its promised protection against enemy missiles will not be realized. This report reviews the status, challenges, and risks associated with SDI's automated data processing and communications technologies. GAO notes that including or excluding integration capabilities for space-based interceptors in the missile defense system architecture has significant design and cost implications but to what degree is unknown. In proceeding with a system that uses both ground- and space-based interceptors, SDI will be pushing the cutting edge of technology and will have to rely on some unproven technologies.

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