Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this unique book provides a concise yet authoritative history of anti-missile systems, Ballistic Missile Defense, from the early years after World War II though the start of the 21st century. Contents:BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE: THE EARLY YEARS TO 1972 * NIKE Missiles: AJAX, HERCULES, and ZEUS * New Directions * BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE: 1976 TO 1991 * The Strategic Defense Initiative, a.k.a. Star Wars * The Gulf War: Patriot versus Scud * BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE IN THE 1990s * Laser Weapons * TMD Core Programs: PAC-3 and THAAD * Navy programs * Other BMD Systems: HAWK, MEADS, and Arrow * A New Threat * CONCLUSION