DATE=8/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / DEFENSE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252777
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Officials say Japan and the United States
will formally agree to begin a missile defense
research program Monday. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports,
the program will focus largely on improving the
missile intended to destroy deadly warheads aimed at
Japan.
TEXT: The joint U-S/Japanese research program is
designed to expand the powerful air defenses now found
aboard the most advanced U-S designed warships, so it
will also offer protection from faster, higher flying
missiles.
The "Aegis" system uses a radar that can almost
instantly scan wide parts of the sky, and powerful
computers to keep track of numerous fast moving
targets. Japan already owns a number of Aegis-
equipped ships that could form the backbone of a
missile defense system.
A U-S Official, who asked not to be named, said the
new research program will focus mostly on the
interceptor missile that is supposed to track, strike
and destroy the attacking warheads loaded with
nuclear, germ or chemical weapons.
Experts say it is a very difficult task, much like
hitting a bullet with another bullet. To do that,
scientists and engineers hope to improve the
interceptor's sensors and warhead so it can better
"see" and destroy its target. They also plan
improvements to the weapon's second-stage propulsion
system to make it faster and more likely to catch its
prey.
Analysts say Japan was reluctant to join the research
program, until North Korea fired a ballistic missile
across Japan and out into the Pacific last year.
Tokyo agreed to greatly increase the size of the
difficult research program recently, as North Korea
said it was getting reach to test another, even more
powerful weapon.
The five-year, half-billion-dollar research program
begins as Japan is steadily improving its military
forces. Tokyo strengthened military ties with the
United States last year, and asserted its right to
defend itself in a recent government report. It also
plans to develop its own spy satellite system.
A U-S Official says Tokyo plans to build and deploy at
least four satellites, including two that use
photography and two others that use special radar to
peer through clouds. Some of these satellites will
be able to see objects as small as one meter across,
and are intended to give Tokyo advance warning of
military developments that could threaten Japan.
(Signed)
NEB/JR/AG/WTW
13-Aug-1999 14:57 PM EDT (13-Aug-1999 1857 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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