The World : Soviet ‘Star Wars’ Noted

The Soviet Union may be ahead of the United States in research on a space-based missile defense system, the military publication Jane’s Weapon Systems said. Bernard Blake, the British publication’s editor, wrote in the review’s 1986-87 edition that the Soviet Union has the world’s only anti-satellite system and is building a new, more accurate radar network. Noting Soviet opposition to the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, popularly known as “Star Wars,” Blake reported that Moscow has an extensive laser program employing 10,000 scientists and engineers as well as other advanced weapons research projects.