New Russian missiles unstopable by current missile-defense
However, the Bush administration's dream of a viable NMD has been rendered fantasy by the Russian test of the SS-27 Topol-M. According to the Russians, the Topol-M has high-speed solid-fuel boosters that rapidly lift the missile into the atmosphere, making boost-phase interception impossible unless one is located practically next door to the launcher. The SS-27 has been hardened against laser weapons and has a highly maneuverable post-boost vehicle that can defeat any intercept capability as it dispenses up to three warheads and four sophisticated decoys.
To a certain extent, this view depends on trusting the Russians assesment of their missiles. But the general idea of the information is probably valid. The next generation of Russian missiles will be that much harder to stop. And in any case the current missile defense system in the US can not be shown to stop even a single, unprotected missile under optimal conditions.
The real danger here is not that the Russians will use such a missile directly, but that they might sell a missile or technology to somebody that will use one.
Jay
