Currently, the United States is working to find promising ways to develop air defense. A new concept of an echeloned complex is being worked out, which includes several main components of various kinds. The key element of such air defense should be the promising LOWER AD anti-aircraft missile system. This project has already gone through some early stages, and soon the new weapon will be released for testing.
Layer system
The development of new means of operational-tactical air defense so far is carried out mainly at the level of general concepts and the elaboration of requirements for equipment. A leading role in this process is played by the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC). Even last fall, the CCDC announced the main considerations on this topic and revealed possible ways of developing air defense. Over the past time, development has made significant progress, and one of them will soon be released for testing.
The air defense concept is being formed in connection with the emergence of new characteristic threats. In recent years, there has been a constant increase in the risks associated with unmanned aerial vehicles - single or group. Also, the development of high-precision weapons of all classes continues. Dealing with such threats requires new defenses.
The new defense concept from CCDC provides for the creation of a layered system, including six "layers" or "domes", protecting a given territory and objects on it. Different "layers" include different media. It is proposed to use new radar systems, laser and missile interception systems. The largest sixth "dome" is proposed to be created using the promising LOWER AD air defense system. Its task is to detect and intercept targets at maximum ranges.
LOWER AD project
Currently, the most long-range and effective air defense system in the US Army is the Patriot air defense system. This complex is proposed to be supplemented with a new one, so far known as Low-Cost Extended Range Air Defense (LOWER AD). The first mentions of this development date back to the fall of last year. Since then, CCDC and related enterprises have managed to carry out some of the necessary work and are now preparing for testing.
The main idea of the LOWER AD project is to create a new simplified and cheaper air defense system, which is inferior to the Patriot in a number of parameters. A less expensive system will carry more missiles with a shorter range. Its task will be to defeat subsonic cruise missiles or unmanned attack systems. It is proposed to leave more complex targets of other types for the Patriot air defense system. Combined use of the Patriot and LOWER AD is expected to provide a favorable ratio of combat effectiveness and cost of operation.
The technical details of LOWER AD have not yet been announced, but the main goals of the project, as well as ways to achieve them, have been named. To improve the combat qualities of the air defense system, it is necessary to create a reduced-size air defense missile system, which will increase the transportable ammunition load of the launcher. It is required to find the optimal combination of existing and new components. It is planned to use simpler and cheaper seeker and warheads with characteristics at the required level.
Possible appearance
Last year, the Pentagon published a presentation on the further development of various tactical missile systems. Together with other developments, this document described a new layered air defense system with six "layers". The slides featured images of some components of the LOWER AD air defense system.
The shown self-propelled launcher is made on the basis of a three-axle vehicle chassis and is equipped with a lifting device for mounting transport and launch containers. According to various sources, such a launcher can carry up to 25 missiles of a new type. In terms of ready-to-use ammunition, such a LOWER AD variant can become a real record holder among modern American air defense systems.
SAM for LOWER AD looks similar to other products in its class. It can get a cylindrical body with a pointed head fairing, on which two sets of planes will be installed. The technical characteristics of the rocket are still unknown. However, it is clear that in some respects it will outperform the Patriot missiles.
Apparently, last year's presentation reflected only approximate views of the CCDC on the appearance of a promising air defense system. At that time, the LOWER AD project was under development and it cannot be ruled out that its appearance had not yet been determined. Real samples of new types of equipment may differ markedly from those presented earlier.
Test plan
A few days ago, CCDC announced the completion of the LOWER AD part of the design work. The current state of affairs makes it possible to carry out the first tests of the air defense system in a significantly simplified configuration. The first events of this kind may take place in the coming weeks.
The first drop tests of the prototype rocket are scheduled for Q4 2019. This means that such tests should take place before the end of September. It is possible that an experienced SAM of a simplified design has already been sent to one of the test sites, where tests are being prepared. Carrying out jump launches will allow collecting the necessary data for the further development of the project.
The next year is planned to be spent on further development of the project. Full flight tests will begin in FY2021. Their main goal will be to test the capabilities of missiles to defeat air targets of assigned classes. The timing of the completion of these activities has not yet been specified. Accordingly, the timing of the adoption of the LOWER AD into service remains unknown.
SAM as a solution to problems
Currently, the US Army is armed with several types of anti-aircraft systems that provide a solution to a wide range of tasks. At the same time, the existing air defense has drawbacks and weaknesses. To solve such problems, it is proposed to develop a number of promising samples, incl. using new principles of work.
It is proposed to supplement weapons based on new principles with "traditional" missile systems - the LOWER AD product is being considered in this capacity. Its main task will be to help Patriot complexes in organizing object air defense. "Patriot" can hit different targets, but in some cases it is redundant and unnecessarily expensive. Objectives of this kind are proposed to transfer the LOWER AD air defense system with increased ammunition from cheaper missiles.
This approach to the development of air defense is of certain interest. The army plans to continue the operation and further development of the Patriot air defense system, but in parallel, new systems of different classes and types will be created. The result of the LOWER AD project should be a noticeable restructuring of air defense, capable of providing a solution to all combat missions with greater flexibility of use. An important factor is the possibility of using effective, but cheaper missiles.
However, the desired savings are very limited. It is not proposed to modernize existing air defense systems with the use of cheaper air defense systems, but to create a new anti-aircraft system. Thus, the technical and economic implications of the simplified rocket are partially offset by the development and production costs of all other LOWER AD elements. For what reason a new missile was not created for the existing air defense systems - it is unclear.
The promising LOWER AD project is currently in its early stages. Apparently, the main appearance of the future air defense system has been determined and some necessary solutions have been found. In the very near future, the prototype missiles will undergo throw tests, which will allow the design to continue. More serious results will not appear until 2021 or later.
Information on the results of the LOWER AD missile drop tests may appear in the very near future. It will allow you to more fully consider the new project and more accurately predict its future. However, the most complete and accurate conclusions can be drawn only at the beginning of the twenties - after at least part of the main tests have been carried out and the real qualities of the new air defense system have been determined. Time will tell whether the LOWER AD will be a solution to the current problems of the American air defense system.
