A defence strategy conceived as part of the U.S. Strategic Defence Initiative in which incoming enemy missiles are intercepted and destroyed by numerous small heat-seeking missiles; also (usually in lower case), the intercepting missiles themselves.
Origin
1980s; earliest use found in Aviation Week.
Definition of Brilliant Pebbles in US English:
Brilliant Pebbles
noun
A defence strategy conceived as part of the U.S. Strategic Defence Initiative in which incoming enemy missiles are intercepted and destroyed by numerous small heat-seeking missiles; also (usually in lower case), the intercepting missiles themselves.