Interest in missile defense systems, originally called "anti-ballistic missile (ABM)" systems, began even before Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) were deployed. The German V-2 short-range ballistic missile, launched against London and Antwerp by the Germans in the last year of World War II, made it clear that long-range missiles were a potential threat. The threat became tangible as the technology became available to develop long-range missiles with accurate guidance systems and nuclear warheads. There was a logical desire to develop weapons to intercept these missiles ("A History of Missile Defense"). With the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula, maintaining and improving the United States Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Defense System is necessary in order to counter-balance North Korea's... In recent years, the United States has been surprised by the speed with which other states have developed weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. The likelihood that the United States will be able in the future to accurately predict how rapidly potential or actual adversaries will acquire ballistic missiles is slim. (Unclassified Report to Congress) The United States must develop defenses against known and emerging threats along with new approaches to achieving early warning of new threats. So therefore, our future goals should focus on using information technology and innovative concepts to develop an interoperable, joint C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) architecture and capability that can provide a flexible joint operational picture. (Protecting The Nation's Infrastructure) Another key capability that the United States should focus on is the means to deny sanctuary to potential adversaries. The United States should also be more circumspect in releasing vital security defense information (Statement for Record to the Senate Subcommittee).

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