// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
GMD
GMD stands for Ground-based Midcourse Defense, which is the United States' primary system designed to protect against intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attacks by intercepting them in space.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) is a strategic ballistic missile defense system operated by the United States that uses ground-based interceptors (GBIs) to detect, track, and destroy incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during their midcourse flight phase, before re-entry.
BACKGROUND
The military budget of the United States is the largest portion of the discretionary federal budget allocated to the Department of Defense (DoD), or more broadly, the portion of the budget that goes to any military-related expenditures. It pays the salaries, training, and health care of uniformed and civilian personnel, maintains arms, equipment and facilities, funds operations, and develops and buys new items. The budget funds the six branches of the US military: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force. Critics contend that recent U.S. defense budgets have disproportionately invested in long-term developmental programs instead of producing weapons systems needed in the near term.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Ground-based Midcourse Defense
- US Missile Defense System (strategic)
- ICBM Interceptor System
- BMDS GMD component
USAGE NOTE
GMD is the most critical component of the US Ballistic Missile Defense System for homeland defense against long-range threats.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to GMD.
Prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, responsible for system integration, development, and sustainment of the interceptor missiles and associated infrastructure.
Develops critical components of the GMD system, including the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) for the Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) and is a prime contractor for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). Also involved in GMD radars.
Involved in various aspects of the GMD system, including components of the Ground Based Interceptor (GBI), battle management command and control systems (C2BMC), and is a prime contractor for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI).
A major defense contractor involved in various missile defense programs, including contributions to GMD-related technologies, future interceptor development (like NGI), and overall missile defense architecture.
A U.S. Department of Defense agency responsible for developing, testing, and fielding a layered missile defense system to protect the United States and its allies, including the GMD system.
Through its acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris Technologies provides the propulsion systems for the Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) missiles, a crucial component of the GMD system.