The assessment highlights that missile threats to the U.S. Homeland are projected to grow both in scale and complexity over the next decade. It categorises the threats into six key types: intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), two forms of hypersonic weapons, land attack cruise missiles, and fractional orbital bombardment systems.
According to the DIA, both China and Russia are actively developing advanced delivery systems to exploit perceived gaps in current U.S. ballistic missile defences. Despite these advancements, traditional ballistic missiles, which are guided during powered flight but unguided during free flight, will remain the primary threat to U.S. territory.
North Korea has demonstrated the ability to reach the entire U.S. Homeland with its ballistic missile tests. In addition, Iran possesses space launch vehicles that could potentially be adapted into an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by 2035 if the country decides to pursue this capability.
The assessment also notes that most of the systems discussed include nuclear-capable variants. The report includes visual depictions of potential missile threats originating from hypothetical launch points.
Missiles launched from mobile platforms, such as aircraft, submarines, and ships, present an increased threat if the platform is positioned closer to U.S. shores. The report also provides estimated inventory numbers, with particular attention given to submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Source: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
