The grand plans [ballistic missile defense]

The United States plans to use a layered approach to protect its forces and allies against short-range ballistic missiles, which have ranges less than 3500 km. Area defenses such as the land-based Theater High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) and the sea-based upper-tier defenses will cover broad areas. Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 and the sea-based lower-tier defenses will be a backup for targets missed by the upper tier and protect high-value targets such as airfields, ports, headquarters, and population centers. The Airborne Laser will aim to destroy missiles during the boost phase, when their rocket motors are burning and before they can deploy warheads, decoys, or submunitions. A theater battle management system will coordinate the system's many components.