Brilliant Pebbles

1, 000 space-based, hit-to-kill interceptors (anti-missile missiles), orbiting 200 to 300 miles above the earth, designed to be effective against missiles with ranges greater than 375 miles. These were to be a component of the Global Protection Against Limited Strikes (GPALS) missile defense system proposed in 1991 by President George H. Bush. See also Strategic Defense Initiative.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.