From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8758093

It's the X Band. I wonder if molesworth is still to be the missile site.

"Since 2002 America has been devising a limited shield to protect
itself and its allies against missiles from terrorists or “rogue” states,
mainly North Korea and Iran. Interceptor sites exist now in Alaska and
California, and discussions are under way about installing a silo with ten
missile-interceptors in Europe. The Pentagon thinks this deployment will
greatly increase the chances of destroying any long-range missile fired
from the Middle East.

In 2003 Britain agreed to upgrade (at American expense) its early-warning
radar station at an RAF base at Fylingdales so that it could play its part
in the missile-defence system. Just over two years ago a rumour that
America had asked Britain to host its interceptors was flatly denied by the
Ministry of Defence in London. Recently the most probable sites have
appeared to be in eastern and central Europe, among NATO's most recent
members. A new radar station is likely to be built near Prague. For some
time Poland has seemed the favoured site for missile-interceptors.

America has yet to announce where in Europe it wants to install its silo.
Months of discussions about interceptors between Britain and America have
been a closely-held secret. But last month hints and cryptic references to
the talks began slipping out in Washington and Brussels.

In January Victoria Nuland, America's ambassador to NATO, wrote to her
fellow envoys to inform them about options for missile-defence sites in
Europe. Her letter noted the role Britain had already played in hosting a
“crucial missile-defence radar at RAF Fylingdales”. Her letter went on to
say: “The United States has also been discussing with the UK further
potential contributions to the system.” A similar hint that Britain and
America were “exploring new areas of future co-operation” on missile
defence was tucked away in a 2008 budget submission to Congress for work on
the missile-defence shield.

Indications are that the interceptors would not be housed at Fylingdales,
in Yorkshire, but in new silos at another existing American base in
Britain. America would pay for their installation and for the missiles,
which cost $40m (œ20.5m) each. The two governments have yet to negotiate
who would have final control over whether to fire the interceptors. "

Molesworth was leading the contenders as an "existing & yet
mothballed US site", close to Alconbury et al & was used for GLCM
so it's "secure".

Adam

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