
In about three months, the U.S. Army will officially unveil its new air and Missile Defense (Air Defense) strategy./ABM), covering the period up to 2040. This document will not just be another plan — it will define how the American army will protect its forces, allies and interests in an era when threats from the air and from space are becoming more complex, rapid and diverse.
Why is the strategy appearing right now?
Because the war has changed. What used to be a fantasy from science fiction is now reality.:
- Hypersonic missiles that fly at a speed of Mach 5+ and can maneuver, making them almost invulnerable to older air defense systems.
- Massive drone attacks — from cheap tactical UAVs to kamikaze missiles like the Shahed.
- Cruise and ballistic missiles of medium and short range, which can be launched from land, sea and even from submarines.
- Cyber attacks on air defense systems to blind radars or disable command nodes.
All this requires a completely new approach. And old systems like Patriot or THAAD, although effective, can no longer cope alone.
What will be in the new strategy?
The official document has not yet been published, but according to leaks and statements by officials, key areas can be identified.:
1. Integrated Air Defense/Missile Defense Network (IBCS)
Everything should work as a single organism: radars, missiles, drones and satellites — in one network. The goal is to "see once — strike from anywhere." If the radar in Germany detects a target, the missile can be launched by a system in Poland.
2. Lasers and railguns (DE M-SHORAD and IFPC-HEL)
The Army is actively testing combat lasers and electromagnetic guns (railguns). They are cheaper than missiles, can fire almost indefinitely, and are ideal for repelling drone and rocket attacks. By the 2030s, they can become the basis of tactical defense.
3. Satellite Tracking Network (Space-Based Sensor Layer)
Satellites will continuously monitor hypersonic targets from the moment of launch. This is the key to interception, because such missiles are difficult to detect from the ground.
4. Hybrid defense: from tactics to strategy
The strategy will cover all levels, from protecting a single infantry unit (using interceptor drones and mini-lasers) to global defense against intercontinental missiles.
5. Focus on China and Russia
The document will be clearly focused on competition with the great powers. The main scenarios are conflict in the Taiwan Strait, tensions in Europe and threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
6. Compatibility with allies
The new systems will be developed taking into account compatibility with NATO, Japan, South Korea and other partners. This is important for common defense and data exchange.
What is already working?
Some elements of the future strategy are already being tested:
- DE M-SHORAD— a 50-kilowatt laser mounted on a Stryker armored personnel carrier.
- IFPC Inc 2-I is a system capable of intercepting drones, missiles and artillery shells.
- LTAMDS is a new radar for Patriot capable of seeing hypersonic targets.
And what about the budget?
No way without money. The US Army is asking for billions of dollars to implement the strategy. But with shortages and rising costs for other programs (including cybersecurity and AI), priorities will have to be chosen.
Why until 2040?
Because a new generation of threats is on the way. By 2040, there may be:
- Hypersonic missiles with AI guidance.
- Autonomous drone packs.
- Orbital weapons.
- Electromagnetic pulses (EMP) as a means of mass destruction.
The US Army wants not just to catch up, but to get ahead.
Result
A new air defense strategy/Missile defense is not just a defense plan, but a look into the future of war. It will show how the United States intends to stay ahead when the enemy can attack from land, sea, air, space and even from digital space.
When the document is released, the world will know how ready America is for a war that no one has seen before.