THE BOOST PHASE INTERCEPTOR is the next phase in the Bush administration’s efforts to establish a “layered” ballistic missile defense system.

Pentagon officials say destroying an enemy ballistic missile in the boost phase is preferable because shortly after launch the missile is moving at a much slower speed and is easier to hit. In addition, if hit, the warhead payload, nuclear, chemical or biological, would likely fall back on the country from which it was launched.

Under plans developed by the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, the boost phase interceptor would be launched by either land or sea-based missiles. Estimated are that it will take 8 years to develop.

Pentagon officials say that in the foreseeable future the most probable target for a boost phase interceptor would be missiles launched from North Korea.

The first phase of National Missile Defense, interceptors designed to kill enemy ballistic missiles during midcourse in space, is scheduled to be deployed and operational by October 2004. Those first interceptor missiles will be deployed at Fort Greely, in Alaska.