The Defense Department on Friday began its Ballistic Missile Defense Review, an in-depth study of ways to strengthen homeland defense. The review, which comes at a time when North Korea is repeatedly testing ballistic missiles and challenging US interests in the Pacific, will focus on strengthening missile-defense capabilities and providing policy framework, according to a Pentagon release. Like the recently announced Nuclear Posture Review, the Ballistic Missile Defense Review will also be led by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Paul Selva and Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work. A final report is expected by the end of the year.
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…