Strategic Defense Initiative

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US programme (1983–93) to explore the technical feasibility of developing a comprehensive defence system against incoming nuclear missiles, based in part outside the Earth's atmosphere. The programme was started by President Ronald Reagan in March 1983, and was overseen by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO). In May 1993, the SDIO changed its name to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), to reflect its focus on defence against short-range rather than long-range missiles. SDI lives on today in the less ambitious National Missile Defense (NMD) programme.

The aim of SDI was to create a ‘defence shield’ that would protect the USA from a full nuclear missile attack by the Soviet Union or other hostile nuclear powers. This would end reliance on offense-dominated deterrence (‘Mutually Assured Destruction’) through a balance of terror. Enemy missiles would be attacked at several different stages of their trajectory, using advanced laser and particle-beam technology, thus increasing the chances of disabling them.

White stands for peace. The shield and weapons express a willingness to defend the country. Green symbolizes plenty. Blue represents rain. Effective date: 20 January 1987. >>