US BMD capabilities against different target types

[thewood1]

I posted this is a tech support thread, but felt it should get a little broader exposure because of all the misconceptions of how tricky BMD is in real life...and CMO

From the CMO discord posted by Dimitris...

Screenshot 2026-01-16 095506.jpg (145.26 KiB) Viewed 88 times

As I have said in another thread, its all about engagement angles, the limited types of weapons, combined with specific sensors, and target type. This creates very narrow windows of interception opportunity. Just throwing down missiles and radars isn't going to work. You have to know the general area the target missiles are going to be launched from, the point where you have the best chance of interception, and the right missile radar combo to do it. That means you also have a fairly narrow window of weapon system placement.

I get BMD to work fairly consistently against SRBM and MRBM, and OK with IRBMs. But takes a lot of practice and experience. On the other side, if you have good intel on BMD locations, you can create almost impossible scenarios with quantity over quality. I suspect that reflects real life.

[HalfLifeExpert]

Given the threat from ASBMs, many of which have mobile launchers, I feel like there should be development of capabilities to try to engage them in the terminal phase.

Yes it's a serious challenge, but I feel like firing SOME missiles with a low chance of hitting is better than not firing any at all when you or the ship you are guarding is the target.

[thewood1]

Isn't that what THAAD is for? Its literally in its name. Along with Patriot in more limited scenarios.