4. US missile defense

4.1 Segments of the US global missile defense

Fig 1. Purpose of US missile defense elements

In 2002, the United States decided to create national system US missile defense, the main weapon of which was to be long-range interceptor missiles GBI - GBI (Ground Based Interceptors), and regional missile defense (also known as theater missile defense), which was to be based on systems designed to intercept medium and shorter range missiles.
Based on the concept of building a national missile defense system, it should include the following segments:

Fig 2. Transportation of the GBI anti-missile

First segment- defense in the middle section of the trajectory - received the name GMD (Ground Missile Defense). It should be based on anti-missile systems for exatmospheric interception of ICBM warheads based on GBI anti-missiles. It included two position areas for the deployment of GBI interceptor missiles - in Alaska and California. It was envisaged that the ground echelon would be supplemented by a third positional area located in Europe, but these plans were not destined to come true.

Figure 3. US Missile Destroyers

Second segment- defense on the ascending segment, including the active segment. Within the framework of this segment, the following is being developed: the Aegis multifunctional sea and land-based missile defense system with deployed on cruisers, destroyers of the Navy, as well as in mines, Standard interceptor missiles of various modifications, capable of intercepting both medium-range missiles, so is the ICBM. Navy ships equipped with Aegis sea-based complexes can freely navigate the World Ocean and carry on board, in fact, “forward-based missile defense systems”, blocking ballistic missiles in the middle and final stages of their flight path. Space systems are also considered - complexes based on SBL space-based lasers and Brilliant Pebbles kinetic action interceptors ("Brilliant pebbles"), as a legacy from SDI.

Fig 4. THAAD complex on a mobile platform

Third segment- ABOUT the final section. Complexes in this segment are still being developed to protect against short and medium-range ballistic missiles. These include the THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 land-based systems, as well as the Aegis sea and land-based systems. The groundwork accumulated in the field of missile defense formed the technological basis for the creation of a global layered defense system against ballistic missiles BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense), the creation of which became one of the main elements of the US military-technical policy. As a conditional starting point for the start of work on the creation of the BMD system, one can take the statement of George Bush on December 17, 2002 on the beginning of its deployment, which followed the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty in June 2002 and the restructuring of the program and budget of the Missile Defense Agency.

It is assumed that the presence of these three segments will make it possible to close all stages of the flight of ballistic missiles and will allow them to be intercepted at any part of the flight path. Also, many experts point out that the mega-system being created will be capable of not only intercepting intercontinental ballistic missiles, but also shooting down satellites, fighting medium-range missiles, and also being a nuclear attack system, but more on these "charms" of the US missile defense being created a little later.

Let's take a closer look at all three segments of the system being created and start with the GBI long-range interceptors.

4.1.1 GBI long-range heavy anti-missiles for the GBMD system.

The GBMD system began to be deployed in 2005 as the first real-life anti-missile system to destroy enemy missiles and warheads in the middle section of the trajectory. Its basis is a ballistic missile with a range of 2000 - 5000 km.
A little clarification is required here: the GBI anti-missile is actually a Minuteman-2 solid-propellant ballistic missile with a kinetic interceptor installed instead of a nuclear warhead. Theoretically, it is possible to install a nuclear warhead on such an anti-missile and turn it into a means of nuclear attack.

Fig 6. Kinetic interceptor EKV of the GBI complex

A kinetic interceptor is a small spacecraft capable of targeting a warhead in space as well as maneuvering. This interceptor will destroy the warhead by direct collision with the attacked warhead. The kinetic oncoming method of defeat, when the speed of the target and the anti-missile relative to each other is 10-15 kilometers per second, in the event of a hit, it guarantees its destruction. However, this requires very precise guidance. An accuracy of 50-200 meters, as for anti-missiles with a neutron warhead, is no longer enough.

It was GBI missiles that were supposed to become the basis of Euro-ABM, which made it possible not only to destroy ICBMs launched from the European part of Russia, but also, if desired, to deliver a nuclear strike, for example, on Moscow with a flight time of about 3 minutes. however, the plans to place GBI in Europe were not destined to come true, since our country's extremely harsh reaction followed official and, probably, unofficial ones. The Obama administration has revised plans for the deployment of missile defense in Europe, replacing the GBI system with a sea and land version of the Aegis with SM-3 interceptors. In addition, the development of the EuroPRO system was somewhat stretched out in time, divided into several stages.

The plans for the period up to 2025 include the Creation of a third missile defense region of the continental territory of the United States, covering the industrial centers of the Atlantic coast;

Bringing the total number of GBMD anti-missiles in the US to 56 (28 in Alaska, 14 in California and 14 on the Atlantic coast); in the future, up to 100 anti-missiles.

4.1.2 Mobile interceptors of the Aegis system ("Aegis" - Aegis) land and sea based. Rocket SM-3.

Figure 7. Launch of an SM-3 rocket from a vertical cell Mk. 41

The Aegis system is a multifunctional combat information and control system (MBIUS), consisting of an integrated network of sensors and computers, as well as strike and combat assets in the form of first-generation Standard missile 2 (SM-2) interceptor missiles and more advanced Standard missile interceptor missiles missile 3 (SM-3), which are launched using universal vertical launch installations Mk 41 located under the main deck of such cruisers and destroyers. Currently, such cells for missiles are carried by the Tikanderoga missile cruiser and missile destroyers of the " "Arleigh Burke""Officially, 24 destroyers and one missile cruiser are now involved in building the Aegis system, but the launch cells Mk 41 are universal and are used for a large list of US weapons, and are also installed on a huge number of US and NATO ships, which allows you to quickly reorient ships to solve missile defense problems.

MBIUS Aegis was originally developed in the 70s. last century to destroy aircraft and anti-ship missiles. For the first time, such a system was installed on US Navy warships in 1983.

Fig 8. Universal vertical cell Mk. 41

In subsequent years, this program was repeatedly subjected to deep modernization in order to increase the effectiveness of its information-reconnaissance and strike-combat components. The implementation of a long-term program for the installation and modernization of this system is entrusted simultaneously to the Navy and the US Missile Defense Agency, which is the lead agency responsible for the development, creation and deployment of the US missile defense system on a global scale.

The EPAP program provides for the deployment of not only the sea, but also the ground version of the MBIUS Aegis - the so-called system Aegis Ashore missile defense. Such interceptors and related radars will appear by 2015 in Romania, where each division will have a 5.0 missile defense system software, a SPY-1 radar and 24 SM-3 Block IV interceptor missiles that will allow the United States to cover the southern part of the European continent. In 2018, the ground version of Aegis with 5.1 software and SM-3 Block IB and Block IIA interceptor missiles will be deployed in Poland in order to control the space of the northern part of Europe.

Figure 9. What Aegis Ashore will look like

One should also take into account the fact that ships with the Aegis system can be used not only to intercept ballistic missiles, but also be used as anti-satellite weapons, which has already been proven by the destruction of an American satellite.

Graphically, the upgrade stages of the SM-3 missile are presented in the image from the manufacturer, which shows that in the fourth phase of the upgrade of the SM-3 missile, it will be able to shoot down missiles of almost any range.

Figure 10. Stages of development of the capabilities of the SM-3 anti-missile

However, the danger of Aegis is not only that it is being actively improved, but also that the number of carriers of this system is constantly increasing.

The US Department of Defense is determined to involve NATO warships in providing missile defense in Europe. This was announced on February 28, 2012 by acting. Deputy Minister of Defense for political issues James Miller. "Some of our allies have a naval capability that can be upgraded and incorporated into NATO's missile defense system," he said. - The Alliance should work out the concept of international cooperation in the field of sea-based missile defense, providing for the exchange of radar data and cooperation in the destruction of missiles. This, perhaps, will become the basis for the formation of a group of countries with sea-based missile defense components. According to Miller, at the summit of the leaders of the countries-members of the North Atlantic Alliance, which is due to be held May 20-21, 2012 in Chicago, it may be "announced that a group of allies will clarify the possibility of implementing one or more initiatives in the field of missile defense."

In November 2011, plans to re-equip the air defense radar into a long-range missile defense radar on four frigates were announced Netherlands. These are the ships De Zeven Provincien (F-802), which has 32 launch silos, as well as the same type Tromp (F-803), De Ruyter (F-804) and Evertsen (F-805), which were introduced into the Netherlands Navy in 2002 -2005

The move was said to be "a national contribution to NATO's missile defense capability." Some US NATO allies also have ships equipped with a missile defense system: three ships have Germany and three - Denmark. Interest in modifying several of its ships for this system showed France. They have their own sea-based missile defense systems UK and Spain. Washington does not object to the ships of these European states being armed with SM-3 interceptor missiles.

At the same time, the anti-missile potential is also being built up in the Asia-Pacific region. They contribute to it Australia, which plans to build three Hobart-class destroyers (the first of which will be transferred to the Navy in 2013), as well as Japan - six Kongo-class destroyers will be converted to the Aegis system, although four ships were previously planned to be upgraded. South Korea's sea-based anti-missile systems (KDX-III class destroyers) have already joined this process, and participation in the US fleets' anti-missile project is not ruled out. Taiwan And Saudi Arabia .

It should be noted that Japan, which seems to be neutral in words, but in reality has already become a bloc country, accepts Active participation in work on improving the most promising types of SM-3 interceptor missiles. In particular, Japanese engineers have found special technical solutions that allow the rocket trajectory to be adjusted at high speeds. In essence, Tokyo is being drawn into an anti-missile arms race, which causes justified concern in many countries of the world, including in the Asia-Pacific region. Washington has achieved the creation in this region of two profile structures in the field of missile defense: "trilateral forums" with the participation of Australia, the United States and Japan, as well as the United States, South Korea and Japan. In March 2012, speaking at a political science forum in Washington, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Madeleine Creedon announced Washington's readiness to create a broad regional missile defense infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, similar to European missile defense. Following her, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke in favor of strengthening cooperation on the development of the US missile defense system with the states of the Persian Gulf.

By the end of 2011, the US Navy already had a total of 24 cruisers and destroyers equipped with Aegis MBIUS. The total number of SM-3 interceptor missiles in the US Navy was 111 units.
By 2025, it is planned to increase the number of ships with the anti-missile version of the Aegis system to 32 units, and it is also planned to integrate the Aegis-based missile defense system into the Japanese fleet.

4.1.3 THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 ground-based complexes

Figure 11. Anti-missile launch from the THAAD complex

These systems are designed to directly cover protected objects from warheads arriving from space at the final stage of their trajectory.

American mobile anti-missile complex (PRK) long-range interception THAAD(Theater High Altitude Area Defense) is designed to destroy operational-tactical missiles (OTR, firing range up to 1000 km) and medium-range ballistic missiles (IRBM, up to 3500 km) at altitudes of 40-150 km and ranges up to 200 km.

R&D for its creation has been carried out since 1992 by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space with a group industrial enterprises, among which Raytheon is responsible for the development of a multifunctional radar. They have one of the highest priorities in the theater missile defense program and are at the stage of confirming the technical feasibility of the chosen concept.

At the beginning of 1995, at the White Sands missile defense range (New Mexico), prototypes of the launcher, the GBR-T multifunctional radar station and the command post (CP) of this complex were deployed, and flight tests of experimental samples of its anti-missile (PR) began. .

Since 2000, the program has been in preparation for serial production of engineering and manufacturing development (EMD). In May 2004, the production of 16 interceptor missiles for flight tests began at the new Lockheed Martin plant in Pike County, Alabama (Pike County, Alabama).

Figure 11. THAAD Kinetic Interceptor

The anti-missile warhead is made in the form of a detachable self-guided interception stage of kinetic action, designed to hit ballistic targets by direct hit.

Anti-aircraft missile system "Patriot" PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3)- one of the latest upgrade options for the well-known Patriot air defense system and is designed to intercept warheads of tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, including those made using stealth technology.

Figure 12. Launch of an anti-aircraft missile of the Patriot complex

The first was carried out under the guidance of Ratheon and included the development of an improved MIM-109 anti-aircraft missile with an active homing head, a high-explosive fragmentation warhead and an engine length increased by 0.76 m. The dimensions and weight of the MIM-109 rocket practically corresponded to the MIM-104 rocket, and at the same time, the available overloads new rocket reached 40 g.

The second option, proposed by Loral Vought Systems, includes the use of a highly maneuverable ERINT (Extended Range Interceptor) direct-hit anti-missile in the Patriot PAC-3 complex.

In August 1994, the tender commission chose the second option and a contract was signed with Loral Vought Systems for $515 million. and a duration of 47 months. The ERINT SAM was designed primarily as a low-level missile defense interceptor in the theater of operations, in addition to the upper-level interceptor, the THAAD missile. The features of the RAS-3 are the use of an active homing warhead and a relatively short range - up to 15-20 km for ballistic and up to 40-60 km for aerodynamic targets. At the same time, in order to maximize the potential and minimize the cost of performing a combat mission, the PAC-3 battery includes missiles of earlier versions of the PAC-2.

These systems (THAAD and Patriot) will be deployed both in the US and Europe, and in South Korea, which allows us to assert that the global missile defense system considers not only the Russian Federation, but also the PRC as the main adversary.

An interesting point in the creation of the US global missile defense system was that the leadership of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) repeatedly noted that main feature creating a BMD system is refusal to pre-develop its architecture. It should be defined and refined as the development and testing of its major components is completed. In order to accelerate the creation of a missile defense system, since 2004, the BMD program has been implemented in stages, in two-year blocks, which are “capabilities packages” of the system (or its individual components) that have been created over previous years.

The refusal to pre-develop the missile defense architecture, as well as many years of purposeful work by the United States to create it, indicates several things:

1. US missile defense will be built regardless of any technical and technological problems
2. US missile defense has the highest priority over the development of other military systems
3. US missile defense will be implemented in any case

4.2 Phases of US global missile defense deployment

Figure 13. Four phases of development of the US global missile defense

After Barack Obama came to power, the US began to adjust its plans. It was about creating a more mobile and flexible system that would mainly provide for the interception of short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The main weapon is no longer the massive silo-based GBI interceptor, but the more compact and lightweight SM-3, which has one significant advantage - mobility.

In September 2009, US President B. Obama issued a special statement on missile defense. He announced the Pentagon's readiness to continue to develop the missile defense system on a global scale, as well as to adjust plans for the deployment of a third position area of the missile defense system on the territory of Poland and the Czech Republic, which were previously defended by the former US administration. At the same time, the White House announced a program for deploying missile defense facilities in Europe. It is planned that the deployment of anti-missile systems will take place in four stages.

First phase(completion scheduled for approximately 2011) provides for the deployment (in Europe) of already established and proven missile defense systems, including Aegis sea-based systems, SM-3 (Block-IA) interceptors and an AN / TPY-2 radar detection system with in order to be able to repel regional ballistic missile threats to Europe.

Second phase(completed by 2015). It is planned to deploy a more powerful modification of the SM-3 (Blok-IB) interceptor in sea and land-based versions, as well as more advanced sensors needed to expand the protected area from short-range and medium-range missile threats.

Third phase, which should end in 2018, involves the development and deployment of an improved SM-3 (Block IIA).

fourth phase The missile defense system is planned to be completed by 2020. It involves the deployment of SM-3 (Block IIB) in order to better counter medium and long-range missile threats and possible future intercontinental ballistic missile threats against the United States. It is assumed that until the first ground facilities appear, US Navy ships with interceptor missiles on board will be on combat duty off the coast of Europe.

The November 2010 NATO summit in Lisbon endorsed the US-proposed “phased adaptive approach” to the development of its anti-missile systems in Europe.

As mentioned earlier, it was decided that the NATO missile defense system will be created in the period 2011-2021, and its final configuration will be determined taking into account the reality of missile threats, the availability of technology and other factors. It will be based on elements of the US global missile defense system (positional areas for interceptor missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland, as well as Aegis anti-missile ships in the Mediterranean, North and, not excluded, in the Black and Barents Seas).

4.3 Means of reconnaissance and target designation of the US global missile defense system. Satellites and radar

Figure 14. SBIRS satellite

SBIRS (English Space-Based Infrared System - space-based infrared system)- American two-component integrated space system for early detection of ballistic missile launches (EWS) of a new generation. In addition to controlling space launches, the system is designed to determine the trajectory of their flight, identify combat units and decoys, issue target designation for interception, and conduct reconnaissance over the territory of military operations in the infrared range.

Work on its creation began in the mid-1990s and was supposed to be completed in 2010, however, as of 2016, only three upper echelon satellites in elliptical orbits (HEO) and two geostationary satellites (GEO) were put into orbit.

In 1991, the US Department of Defense, analyzing Iraq's launches of short-range ballistic missiles during the Gulf War, concluded that the existing missile defense (ABM) and space launch warning systems needed to be improved in terms of providing operational information on missile launches. short and medium range.

In 1994, the US Department of Defense explored the possibility of combining various space-based infrared systems for missile defense needs. The result of this study was the decision to create the SBIRS system to replace the existing missile defense system - DSP (Eng. Defense Support Program - Defense Support Program). The DSP system was created in 1970 as a strategic surveillance system and an early warning system for long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches.

As of 2013, the US Department of Defense has five SEWS (Satellite Early Warning System) DSP satellites. The satellites are deployed in geosynchronous orbits and make it possible to register missile launches in 40–50 seconds, as well as to determine their flight trajectories in the active site.

SBIRS early warning system should replace SEWS. It will ensure the detection of missiles in less than 20 seconds after launch and will make it possible to identify warheads and decoys in the middle section of the trajectory.

The SBIRS program was designed as a complex system of independent components and consists of the following systems:

SBIRS High - a constellation of satellites with infrared equipment on board in geostationary (SBIRS-GEO) and high-elliptical (SBIRS-HEO) orbits;

SBIRS Low - constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit;

Figure 15. Mobile radar SBX

radar

In August 2003, it was decided to reactivate the naval base on Adak Island in the Aleutian Ridge, closed in 1996, to support a key element of the missile defense system being created - a floating Radar SBX. A powerful phased array radar was installed on a modernized oil platform capable of moving at speeds up to 4 knots. On January 2, 2007, she began towing from the Pearl Harbor naval base to the Aleutian Islands.

According to data presented at the end of February 2007 by the director of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lieutenant General Henry Obering, the US missile defense system at that time already included facilities located in North America, Western Europe and the Far East:

4 early warning radars: Cobra Dane(Shemiya Island, Aleutian Islands); Beale(California); Fylingdales(Great Britain); Thule(Greenland, Denmark);

sea-based radar SBX stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the Alaska region;

forward-based radar FBX-T on the island of Honshu (Japan);

Figure 16. Scheme of target designation and control of the American global missile defense system

On March 15, 2013, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced that the US intends to deploy a second centimeter-wave radar station in Japan. The mobile radar will become an important component not only of the defense system of the American territory, but also regional missile defense system in Asia, which the United States is creating together with Japan and South Korea.

Some summary:

Having briefly examined the elements of US missile defense, we can conclude that a global combat system is being created that will be able to solve a huge range of tasks of a defensive and offensive nature in the future: air defense and missile defense of entire regions from aircraft and cruise missiles, protection against medium-range missiles in Europe and South-East Asia, protection against ICBMs in all flight segments, destruction of satellites and space stations, participation in a decapitating nuclear strike, etc.

Talk about the fact that interceptors in Europe are a myth and cut budgets is completely untenable.

US missile defense is the most dangerous distributed combat system, the final task of which is to give the US a global advantage and the ability to dictate its will any country on our planet.

In the last third part, we will consider how the only missile defense system of our country was built and now exists, as well as what steps our country is taking and will take in order not to burn out in an atomic flame from our "partners".

The US Army has deployed one of its seven Terminal High Altitude Anti-Missile Defense (THAAD) batteries to Romania. This deployment coincides with the closure of the Aegis Ashore ground-based missile defense system, also located in Romania, for a planned upgrade.

The installation of THAAD anti-missile battery equipment began on May 17, 2019 near the location of the Aegis Ashore ground-based anti-missile system. The U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Defense independently posted at least one photo of the installation in preparation for combat duty, and then quickly removed it. Some websites have saved this photo.

The deployment of the THAAD missile defense system is a controversial issue. This system, in theory, has the same capabilities as the Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems and helps close the gap created during the temporary shutdown of the Aegis complex.

However, the installation of THAAD batteries causes a hostile reaction from Russian leadership, as was the case with the Aegis Ashore ground system. Russia “does not understand what tasks the Aegis Ashore system will perform in the anti-missile field,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said at the end of April 2019.

The Pentagon and NATO have repeatedly tried to explain the reasons for the deployment of missile system THAAD. “At the request of NATO, the Secretary of Defense will deploy a U.S. Ground Forces final trajectory high-altitude interception missile defense system in Romania this summer to support the NATO missile defense system,” a spokesman for the US European Command said in early April 2019.

“The THAAD missile system from the 69th Artillery Air Brigade of the 32nd Air and Missile Command will be integrated into the existing missile defense architecture for a limited period of time this summer, when the planned maintenance and modernization of the Romanian-based ground-based missile defense system will be carried out. "Aegis Ashor".

As of early 2019, the US Army received about 200 missiles for its seven THAAD batteries and approximately 40 launchers. The US Missile Defense Agency on its website calls THAAD "a ground-based element capable of shooting down ballistic missiles both in and out of the atmosphere."

The US Army has THAAD anti-missile batteries on the island of Guam, as well as in South Korea. In March 2019, the US Army deployed one THAAD battery to Israel.

Context

Uncle Sam's Hidden Intentions

People's Daily 02.08.2016

Russia will wait: China will tell the USA everything

Ming Bao 04/05/2017

TNI: US anti-missile system heading to Europe

The National Interest 04/16/2019 The Aegis Ashore is a ground-based version of the US Navy's SM-3 anti-missile system. The US Missile Defense Agency, through NATO, operates the Aegis Ashore ground systems in Poland and Romania. These installations help protect Europe and the United States from limited missile attacks from Middle Eastern powers such as Iran.

However, the United States anti-missile system has been causing discontent in Russia for decades. Moscow sees US anti-missile systems as a threat to the global balance of power because, in theory, they could render Russian missiles armed with nuclear warheads ineffective. In fact, most US anti-missile systems lack the speed, range, and accuracy to intercept ICBMs.

Only US ground-based mid-trajectory missile defense systems in Alaska and California, both designed to intercept North Korean missiles, have demonstrated the ability to hit some intercontinental ballistic missiles in test tests.

Many Russians mistakenly believe that Aegis Ashore ground systems can be equipped with surface-to-surface missiles and therefore can be used in a surprise first strike. Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems “are the cause of a specific Russian fear,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert in the field of nuclear weapons located in the city of Monterey Middlebury Institute of International Studies (Middlebury Institute of International Studies).

In his opinion, many Russians believe that the United States is secretly planning to equip its anti-missile installations in Poland and Romania with nuclear warheads, thus turning them into what Lewis calls a "covert" striking force whose true purpose is to launch a surprise nuclear attack. strike on Moscow in order to "decapitate" the Russian leadership.

“This is crazy, but they are 100 percent sure of it,” Lewis said, referring to the Russians.

NATO emphasizes that neither Aegis Ashore nor THAAD pose a threat to Russia. “The THAAD battery will be under the operational control of NATO and under the full political control of the North Atlantic Council,” the alliance said in a statement. - It will be in a combat state only until the Aegis Ashore complex returns to its place in Romania. As expected, the modernization and placement will continue for several weeks.

“In accordance with the NATO missile defense system, the work of THAAD batteries will be directed against potential threats that arise outside the Euro-Atlantic zone. The Aegis Ashore complexes deployed in Romania are purely defensive systems.”

David Ax is the Defense Editor for the National Interest. He is the author of the graphic novels (comics) War Drug (War Fix), War is Boring and Machete Squad.

The materials of InoSMI contain only assessments of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.

Which are designed to destroy operational-tactical and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Anti-missile system (PRK) long-range interception THAAD. Photo: Reuters

As reported on the official website of the US Pacific Command, the missile defense system is designed "exclusively to protect the Republic of Korea from the nuclear missile threat from the North (DPRK)". This happened against the backdrop of North Korea testing ballistic missiles.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the THAAD system is planned to be located in Seongju County at the site of a former Lotte Corporation golf course, the agency said. In 1-2 months, the deployment of this latest system PRO will be completed.

History

The development of the American THAAD mobile anti-missile system was launched in 1992 by a group of industrial enterprises led by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space. In early 1995, prototypes of the launcher were deployed at the White Sands missile defense range (New Mexico). In January 2006, a deal was concluded with Lockheed Martin for the supply of the first 2 THAAD systems with 48 anti-missiles for them. At this time, 39 test launches are known (including the interception of a training target in conditions close to combat), 31 of which were considered successful.

The performance characteristics of THAAD

The THAAD anti-missile is a single-stage solid propellant (launch weight 900 kg, length 617 and maximum body diameter 37 cm), consists of a head section, a transition compartment and a solid propellant rocket engine (RDTT) with a tail stabilizer skirt, developed by Pratt & Whitney.

The anti-missile warhead is made in the form of a detachable self-guided interception stage of kinetic action, designed to hit ballistic targets by direct hit. In its bow part, a double-leaf aerodynamic fairing, which is dropped at the end of the flight of the anti-missile (PR), is installed.

The interception stage includes: a multispectral infrared homing head (GOS), operating in the middle (3.3 - 3.8 microns) and far (7 - 10 microns) sections of the IR range, a command-inertial control system, as well as a propulsion system ( remote control) maneuvering and spatial orientation.

THAAD is designed to destroy operational-tactical missiles (OTR, firing range up to 1000 km) and medium-range ballistic missiles (IRBM, up to 3500 km) at altitudes of 40-150 km and ranges up to 200 km.

Launcher

The launcher accommodates ten launchers in transport and launch containers. They are mounted in a single module on the chassis of a 10-ton M1075 tractor, developed on the basis of a heavy off-road truck manufactured by Oshkosh Truck Corporation. The total weight of the launcher is 40 tons, the length is 12 m and the height is 3.25 m. It takes 30 minutes to recharge it. The launchers of the THAAD complex are air transportable and can be redeployed on C-141 heavy cargo aircraft.

Command post

The command post (CP) can be removed from the radar station (RLS) at a distance of up to 14 km. It provides signal processing, data exchange between the CP.

The THAAD complex uses the so-called "kinetic interception" concept - only the kinetic energy of the hardware unit is used to hit the target. According to the developers, due to the high kinetic energy of the hardware unit, the THAAD complex should be significantly more effective against obsolete ballistic missiles (such as R-17).

In modern realities, the countries of the world are paying more and more attention to the issues of air and missile defense. The army, which is armed with systems that allow it to provide reliable protection of troops and ground facilities from air strikes, receives a huge advantage in modern conflicts. Interest in air defense and missile defense systems is growing, and this topic is accompanied by a large flow of news. The most discussed of them are Turkey's purchase of a Russian anti-aircraft missile system and Saudi Arabia's statements about the desire to purchase this system, after which the United States almost immediately approved a deal to sell its THAAD anti-missile system to the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia's interest in such a system is understandable. On December 19, 2017, Saudi air defense intercepted a Burkan-2 ballistic missile launched by the Houthis from Yemen in the south of Riyadh, which was similar to the one that was shot down near the capital of the kingdom on November 4, 2017. Whether the rocket was really shot down or whether it simply deviated from the course and fell in an uninhabited area is not known for certain. No one was reportedly injured in the incident. The Houthis themselves acknowledged the fact of the missile attack. According to the group, the purpose of the launch was Royal Palace al-Yamama in the capital of Saudi Arabia.

This attack was already the second carried out from the territory of Yemen in several recent months. A military conflict continues in Yemen, which is comparable in scale to the hostilities in Syria. Saudi Arabia acts as the main ideologist of the military operation, which is being carried out on the territory of a neighboring state. The ballistic missile used by the Houthis is an Iranian-made Burkan-2. The missile has a detachable warhead (unlike the Burkan-1 missile, which is a modernized Soviet R-17). Judging by its tactical and technical characteristics, this ballistic missile can indeed reach Riyadh, as well as the country's numerous oil fields. On December 23, 2017, the UN Security Council condemned this rocket attack on the Saudi capital by Yemeni rebels.

Today, Saudi Arabia is also threatened by operational-tactical missiles of the Soviet-made R-17 Scud, as well as tactical missiles Kahir and Zelzal, created on the basis of another Soviet missile system, Luna-M. The Houthis are also quite actively using these missiles for attacks on the territory of the kingdom, in some cases they really lead to a large number military casualties. They use the Houthis and converted missiles of the S-75 air defense systems, which are not intended for striking ground targets.

Against this background, Riyadh's interest in modern air defense and missile defense systems is quite understandable. Saudi Arabia is showing a substantive interest in the American THAAD mobile missile defense system, and options for buying a modern S-400 Triumph air defense system in Russia were also voiced. It is believed that the issue of the supply of Russian air defense systems was discussed during a personal meeting of the King of Saudi Arabia with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in October 2017, where a positive decision was reached on their sale.

This news has generated interest in comparing the two systems THAAD and S-400. However, this comparison is not correct, since we are talking about systems with different specializations. The American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system is a mobile ground-based anti-missile system designed for high-altitude exoatmospheric destruction of medium-range ballistic missiles. At the same time, Russian anti-aircraft missile system The S-400 is designed primarily to destroy aerodynamic targets (aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles), its ability to deal with ballistic targets is limited in range and altitude. At the same time, of course, the Russian system is more universal. The capabilities of THAAD in the fight against maneuverable targets and aircraft are minimal, while such use of a missile defense system would be tantamount to hammering nails with a "microscope", especially given the cost of American anti-missiles.

The THAAD mobile ground-based anti-missile system, designed for high-altitude transatmospheric interception of medium-range missiles during the creation of a zoned missile defense system in a theater of operations, has been developed in the United States since 1992. The system was developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation. The cost of R&D to create an anti-missile complex is estimated at about $15 billion. Currently, the THAAD anti-missile system is in service with the United States and the United United Arab Emirates. In 2017, the battery of the THAAD complex was deployed in South Korea, and their deployment in Japan is also planned. The appearance of the THAAD complex in South Korea was explained by the United States by the need to protect the country from the missile threat from the DPRK, while China and Russia reacted extremely negatively to this step.

The THAAD anti-missile system was originally designed to combat ballistic missiles medium and short range. The system is able to destroy ballistic targets at an altitude beyond the reach of conventional air defense systems - 150 kilometers and a distance of up to 200 kilometers. With the help of this mobile complex, you can create the first line of zonal missile defense. The characteristics of this anti-missile system allow it to sequentially fire two anti-missiles at one ballistic target according to the “launch-evaluation-launch” principle, that is, the second missile is launched if the first one failed to hit the target. In the event that the second missile cannot hit a ballistic target, the usual air defense system, the Patriot air defense system, comes into play, which receives target designations from the THAAD system radar on the broken missile. According to calculations by American experts, the probability of hitting a ballistic missile with such a layered missile defense system is more than 0.96 (while the probability of hitting a target with one THAAD anti-missile is estimated at 0.9).

The THAAD anti-missile consists of a warhead and an engine, the only (separating) stage is a solid-propellant starting engine. The characteristics of this engine make it possible to accelerate the missile to a speed of 2800 m / s, which made it possible to realize the possibility of re-firing a ballistic target with a second interceptor missile. The warhead of the missile is a highly maneuverable direct-hit interceptor, it is also called the "destroying apparatus" (Kill Vehicle).

All this makes obvious the differences between THAAD and the S-400 and the obvious tension in comparing these two systems. The newest anti-aircraft missile 40N6E of the Russian complex "Triumph" is the most long-range missile of the complex, the range of targets hit with its use increases to 400 kilometers, but at the same time we are talking about aerodynamic targets. The range of destruction of ballistic targets using the S-400 complex is limited to 60 km, and the flight altitude of the targets to be hit is 30 km. At the same time, experts note that the indicator of the height of the defeat, if we are talking about the interception of operational-tactical missiles, is not a critical indicator. “In theater missile defense, targets are destroyed on descending trajectories, and not in space,” Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev, former deputy commander-in-chief of the Air Force for the joint air defense system of the CIS member states, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

It is easy to see that the American THAAD has a noticeable advantage in the range and height of the destruction of ballistic targets, which is due to the tasks for which it was created - the destruction of medium-range ballistic missiles. At the same time, the Russian S-400 air defense system with a shorter range in height is armed with missiles with a longer range to destroy all types of aerodynamic targets - at a distance of up to 400 kilometers and tactical ballistic targets at a distance of up to 60 kilometers, flying at a speed of up to 4800 m/s.

The second important difference between THAAD and the S-400 is the method of hitting the target.. An American missile hits the target with a kinetic effect, that is, it hits the missile itself. Her warhead is a highly maneuverable interceptor. It is a technically complex device that searches, captures and defeats a target, using only the kinetic energy of a high-speed impact. One of the main features of this interceptor is a gyro-stabilized multispectral infrared homing head (IR-GOS). In addition to the IR-GOS, the THAAD single-stage missile interceptor is equipped with an inertial command and control system, a power supply, a computer, as well as its own maneuvering and orientation propulsion system. At the same time, anti-aircraft missiles of the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system hit air targets due to a cloud of fragments formed after the missile warhead explodes in the immediate vicinity of the target.

A common feature of all modern air defense and missile defense systems is the requirement placed on them to destroy the payload of attack weapons of a potential enemy. The result of target interception should be, for example, a guarantee that the combat load of the attacking missile will not fall directly in the area of the object being defended. This possibility can be fully excluded only if the target's combat load is destroyed in the process of intercepting it with an anti-aircraft missile. This result can be achieved in two ways: a direct hit of a missile in the target warhead compartment, or with a combination of a small miss and an effective impact on the target by a cloud of anti-aircraft guided missile warhead fragments. In the USA, the first approach is chosen for THAAD, in Russia for the S-400 the second.

It is also worth noting the fact that the S-400 can fire 360 degrees, while the THAAD has a limited firing sector. For example, Russian anti-aircraft missiles 9M96E and 9M96E2, optimized to deal with modern high-precision weapons, cruise missiles and ballistic targets, including stealth ones, use a "cold" vertical launch. Immediately before launching their propulsion engine, rockets are ejected from the container to a height of more than 30 meters. After rising to this height, the anti-aircraft missile is inclined towards the target with the help of a gas-dynamic system.

An important difference between the two complexes is also their radar.. The American system has the best vision. The detection range of the AN / TPY-2 radar is 1000 kilometers against 600 kilometers for the S-400 complex. The multifunctional radar AN / TPY-2 operates in the X-band and consists of 25,344 active PPMs. This is an active phased array radar (AFAR). APAA consists of active radiating elements, each of which consists of a radiating element and an active device (transceiver module - RPM). The very high resolution and vigilance of the American radar is achieved by a huge number of PPMs and the most complex signal processing algorithm. At the same time, the American radar costs a pretty penny, the cost of an innovative radar can exceed $ 500 million.

Radar AN / TPY-2

Experts believe that despite the decision to purchase the THAAD missile defense system, Saudi Arabia may also purchase Russian S-400 systems. These systems cannot be controlled from a single command post in an automated mode, but this does not exclude them. combat use separately. The systems can be deployed in different parts of the country or even as part of the protection of one important facility, while solving different tasks and thus complementing each other, military expert Mikhail Khodarenok noted in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the desire of Saudi Arabia to buy both American and Russian systems may be dictated by different considerations. For example, after Operation Desert Storm, during which the French anti-aircraft missile systems suddenly become inoperable, potential buyers treat weapons purchased in the West with a certain degree of caution. Mikhail Khodorenok notes that there may be “bookmarks” in American weapons, for example, the F-16 of the Jordanian Air Force cannot shoot down the F-16 of the Israeli Air Force. In this case, the purchase of the S-400 can help diversify the risks. If American tactical ballistic missiles or medium-range missiles are used to attack the territory of Saudi Arabia, then the S-400 will be able to shoot them down.

Experts believe that the contract between Saudi Arabia and the United States is not an alternative to the contract with Russia on the S-400, since both systems are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other, they can be used autonomously. As a means of air defense to combat aerodynamic targets, the S-400 is significantly superior to the American Patriot air defense systems.

Price can also play a role. The cost of the S-400 division with 8 launchers is about $500 million. So in December 2017, the details of the contract for the supply of S-400 Triumph air defense systems to Turkey became known. Ankara should receive 4 S-400 divisions for a total amount of about $2.5 billion. At the same time, the Pentagon's Department of Defense Cooperation and Security stated that the cost of the deal with Saudi Arabia for the supply of THAAD missile defense systems was about $15 billion. Under the contract, the kingdom will receive from the United States 44 launchers, 16 command posts, 7 radars, and 360 interceptor missiles for this complex.

MOSCOW, December 27 - RIA Novosti, Vadim Saranov. Rockets began to fly into Saudi Arabia frequently. Recently, the UN Security Council condemned the Yemeni Houthis strike on Riyadh. The target of the attack was the royal palace of Al-Yamama, but nothing happened. The missile was either shot down, or it deviated from the course. Against this background, Saudi Arabia intends to significantly strengthen missile defense. The main candidates for the role of "umbrella" are the American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system and the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system. About the advantages and disadvantages of competitors - in the material of RIA Novosti.

S-400 hits further, THAAD - higher

Objectively, THAAD and the S-400 Triumph air defense system are conditional competitors. "Triumph" is primarily designed to destroy aerodynamic targets: aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles. THAAD, on the other hand, is a system originally designed to combat short and medium-range ballistic missiles. "American" is capable of destroying targets at altitudes beyond the reach of conventional air defense systems - 150 kilometers, and according to some sources, even 200 kilometers. The newest anti-aircraft missile 40N6E of the Russian "Triumph" does not work above 30 kilometers. However, according to experts, the indicator of the height of the defeat, especially when it comes to the fight against operational-tactical missiles, is not critical.

"In theater missile defense, targets are destroyed on descending trajectories, not in space," Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev, ex-deputy commander of the Air Force for the joint air defense system of the CIS member states, told RIA Novosti. "In the late 1980s, in missile defense capital, it was supposed to use two regiments of S-300V2. At the Kapustin Yar training ground, they created a model of the defense of Moscow with the same geometric dimensions and launched targets from the stratosphere. All of them were destroyed at a distance of 120 kilometers."

By the way, the main danger for Saudi Arabia today is precisely the R-17 Scud operational-tactical missiles and the Kahir and Zelzal tactical missiles, created on the basis of the Soviet Luna-M complex.

Another key difference between the American and Russian complexes lies in the principle of operation. If the Triumph hits targets with shrapnel after detonating the missile warhead near the target, then the THAAD, devoid of the warhead, hits the missile exactly with a kinetic block. Meanwhile, despite the apparent complexity of this decision, the Americans managed to achieve good results during the tests - the probability of destroying a target with one anti-missile is 0.9, if THAAD insures the complex more simply, this figure will be 0.96.

The main advantage of the Triumph in the case of its use as an anti-missile system is its higher range. For the 40N6E missile, it is up to 400 kilometers, while for THAAD it is 200 kilometers. Unlike the S-400, which can fire 360 degrees, the deployed THAAD has a field of fire of 90 degrees horizontally and 60 degrees vertically. But at the same time, the “American” has better eyesight - the detection range of its AN / TPY-2 radar is 1000 kilometers against 600 kilometers for the Triumph.

Combine incompatible

Apparently, Saudi Arabia intends to build its missile defense on two completely different systems. This approach may seem somewhat strange, because during their operation there may be serious problems with compatibility. However, according to experts, this is a completely solvable issue.

“These two systems cannot be controlled in an automated mode from a single command post,” military expert Mikhail Khodarenok told RIA Novosti. “They have completely different mathematics, completely different logic. But this does not exclude the possibility of their combat use separately. They can be deployed in different places or even within the framework of the defense of one object, if for them the tasks are divided by heights and sectors. They can simply perfectly complement each other, being in the same grouping."

Saudi Arabia's desire to acquire both Russian and American systems may be dictated by other considerations. After Operation Desert Storm, during which the French anti-aircraft missile systems in service with Iraqi air defense suddenly turned out to be inoperable, potential buyers began to be more cautious about purchasing Western-made weapons.

“There may be bookmarks in American weapons,” says Mikhail Khodarenok. “For example, the F-16 of the Jordanian Air Force cannot shoot down the F-16 of the Israeli Air Force. That is, if they use american weapons, only the S-400, which is capable of operating on conventional aerodynamic targets, can hit it. It is possible that this is the only reason they are buying the Russian system."

The most important difference between THAAD and Triumph is the price. The cost of one THAAD battery, which consists of six launchers for eight interceptor missiles each, is about $2.3 billion. Another 574 million is the innovative AN / TPY-2 radar. The cost of the S-400 division with eight launchers of four missiles is about $500 million. The Russian complex costs almost six times less, while the benefits of THAAD, at least for now, are not obvious.