Both the US and Soviet antimissile programs faced technological challenges in designing and deploying an effective BDM, especially with guided missiles traveling at extreme altitudes and velocities, with intercontinental ranges and sufficient payload to carry atomic explosives.

When did the Soviet Union begin considering bomber and missile defenses?

The Soviet Union began considering bomber and missile defenses in 1948.

What programs did the US Army and Air Corps establish before the end of WWII to meet the threat of enemy bombers and ballistic missiles?

The US Army established the Nike program in 1945 and the Air Corps created Project Wizard in 1946 to meet the threat of enemy bombers and ballistic missiles.

Study Notes

Nazi Germany's V-1 and V-2 missiles signaled a new aerial threat in 1944
Truman administration initiated ballistic missile defense (BMD) research
US initially focused on halting Soviet bombers, but shifted to developing antimissile systems
Soviet Union also began considering bomber and missile defenses in 1948
By 1960s, designing and deploying an effective BDM became a top Soviet priority
Both US and Soviet antimissile programs faced technological challenges
Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972 slowed competition between US and Soviet antimissile systems
US Army and Air Corps were investigating programs to meet the threat of enemy bombers and ballistic missiles before WWII ended
Army established Nike program in 1945 and Air Corps created Project Wizard in 1946
Future challenges included guided missiles traveling at extreme altitudes and velocities, with intercontinental ranges and sufficient payload to carry atomic explosives.

Test your knowledge on the history of ballistic missile defense and the arms race between the US and Soviet Union. From the development of Nazi Germany's V-1 and V-2 missiles to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, this quiz will cover the technological challenges and programs created to meet the threat of enemy bombers and ballistic missiles. Discover how both nations shifted their focus from bombers to antimissile systems and the future challenges they faced with intercontinental missiles carrying atomic explosives.