ABSTRACT
A defense of America and the free world that is not complete but that makes the outcome of an attack dubious would have great persuasive power to deter aggression. In 1984, a short-range, inexpensive US device, assisted by radar, tracked and intercepted an approaching rocket at an altitude of 100 miles with remarkable accuracy. To destroy satellites in space is the least difficult military application of lasers. This is an important reason why predeployed battle stations in space are not apt to survive. Computers are important for defense. Indeed, without computers, defense against a massive attack could hardly work. Computers may make it possible to keep track of thousands of rockets and many more decoys. One real danger of nuclear conflict is connected with the fact that the crisis may occur fast and it may be over—with a tragic ending—in practically no time.
