The expenditure of $9.1 billion on this in the coming year represents about 2.2%of the $401 billion the USA is spending on defence this year.
That means 97.8% of their defence expenditure is on things other than missile defence.
While I'm sure its fair to argue the $9.1 billion that might be better spent elsewhere - you decide - I don't think the comparison to Star Wars under Reagan is valid. I think about $100 billion in 1980's dollars was spent on Star Wars, a far bigger impact item.
I would agree that declaring it "operational" when its obviously in its infancy seems to be lame given the dirth of success.
Cowperson
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