According to Western industry experts, due to the intensive use of offensive weapons by the enemy, manufacturers of mobile anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems attach great importance to their functional flexibility
NATO member countries and their allies are offered a range of medium and long-range mobile air and missile defense systems, including Raytheon's Patriot, MBDA / Lockheed Martin's MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System) and other platforms such as Kongsberg's NASAMS and Raytheon. The demand for them has been growing in recent years due to changes in the geopolitical situation in Europe and other regions of the world.
According to Marty Coyne, Lockheed Martin, in fact, fundamental requirements did not evolve much until the beginning of this century, when development of the MEADS complex began.
“We are so far focused on the full, all-aspect threat,” he said. “In the sector we are dealing with, in the field of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, we must have the means that can hit not only ballistic missiles, but at the same time cope with the all-aspect threat, be it cruise missiles, helicopters, airplanes or drones.” …
Advanced threat
However, "threats have become more advanced and more portable," Coyne added. The evolution of the threat situation determined the second and third fundamental requirements that were built into MEADS, which made it possible to make the complex as mobile as possible and give it a flexible network architecture.
“The combat experience of humanity shows that you will never have enough systems at your disposal for a massive strike, so you must have mobile systems. In addition, you can no longer rely on one "highly targeted" system. You need functional flexibility based on a common network that allows you to change components and implement new sensors and intercept.”
The fourth fundamental requirement concerns the maximum accuracy of defeat from the first launch. "It hasn't changed, everything was the same 15 years ago."
The focus at the moment is on the components integrated into the network architecture. They are constantly evolving and manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin have focused on advanced sensors and actuators and other related subsystems.
“You need advanced sensors, you need powerful missiles, and then, as new capabilities develop, you need to be able to integrate them without redesigning the entire system,” said Coyne. "These fundamental requirements remain unchanged in order to seamlessly cope with constantly evolving threats."
It is necessary to ensure system adaptability in order to save time and money when integrating new components. “It's important to understand that whatever you invest in and ultimately whatever you deploy is adaptable, meaning you don't have to roll back and redesign the entire system to deal with new threats.”
Currently, missile capabilities can be improved “smartly” in terms of maneuverability and especially range. It was this approach that was implemented in the development of the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability) MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) interceptor missile.“It is this concept of how Lockheed Martin also works closely with our customer that helps maintain technological leadership and maintain the edge while meeting fundamental requirements.”
Lockheed Martin developed the MEADS suite with its partner MBDA; two companies are working on this project within the framework of the MEADS International structure they have created. The main efforts are directed to the development of the German TLVS complex, which should be based on MEADS. Germany is the leading NATO country in the field of missile and air defense. In March of this year, MBDA and Lockheed Martin formed a new joint venture, TLVS GmbH, to fulfill a German contract. It is expected to become the lead contractor for the new complex; negotiations are under way with the Armed Forces Procurement Office.
The TLVS complex, fully compatible with any NATO country, can fight advanced short and medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other aerial targets. Its open architecture will allow the integration of other weapons from other countries into regional defense systems, while it allows firing German-designed IRIS-T interceptor missiles.
Focus on interception
In addition to its activities on the MEADS / TLVS projects, Lockheed Martin produces the PAC-3 interceptor missile for the Patriot complex, which will also be part of the TLVS complex.
Not only are threats becoming more effective, they are becoming widespread, according to Joe Deanton of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. He said he could not discuss the characteristics of the threats and their effectiveness due to secrecy, “but you can just look at the headlines of the news outlets to gauge their spread. In the past, only government agencies had access to tactical ballistic missiles or UAVs. Everything has changed. As these threats proliferate, the equation expands to include the cost of attacking weapons."
He stated that it was necessary for commanders to be flexible in their intercept decisions, noting that the Patriot complex includes several direct hit interceptor missiles, the PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE, and the Guided Enhanced Missile (GEM) family of missiles., which cost less than the PAC-3 and hit targets due to the high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
“They are not suitable for all theaters, but based on the speed and maneuverability of the missile, GEMs are preferred in many cases,” he said, adding that Raytheon has partnered with Rafael on the development of a low-cost direct strike interceptor SkyCeptor offered to Poland. “In short, we are also looking at other, even more affordable solutions that can deal with these cheap but very dangerous threats.”
Since 2015, Raytheon's Patriot has been deployed more than 200 times, intercepting more than 100 tactical ballistic missiles, Deanton said. Raytheon “is at the peak of maturity in the field of missile defense and air defense, while we do not always consider integrated air defense and missile defense at the system level. Instead, the company looks at the defense organization in terms of the challenges faced by its customers and then develops optimized offerings that address the unique challenges faced by individual customers.”
“The solution we are developing is a real defensive shield that includes command and control, sensors and actuators combined into one integrated architecture to meet the defense needs of our customers,” Deantona said.
Deantona pointed to a number of technological trends that have emerged in recent years. For example, "there has been a revolution in computing power and many components have definitely benefited from it."For example, the Patriot complex received a new digital data processing module, in which off-the-shelf commercial equipment is widely used.
This increases the reliability of the digital data processing system and associated analog components by an order of magnitude, leading to a predicted 40% increase in overall reliability. "More importantly, it allows for increased capabilities in the long term through software upgrades."
Deantona also pointed to the integration of gaming and personal computer technology, noting that Raytheon "adopts this kind of philosophy and integrates it into a reasonably intelligent weapon system."
He noted that Raytheon "has proposed upgrading a critical component of the Patriot complex, which will increase its flexibility, this applies to both the United States and its allies, which face growing threats around the world." Patriot's new proposed control system “introduces video game-style 3D graphics into a handheld console that packs in multiple travel cases, replacing a heavy metal module that's so heavy it can be transported by truck. Now, soldiers can operate the Patriot from a tent, office building, or anywhere with sufficient electricity.”
According to the representative of the MBDA company, there are several directions in which the threat has developed especially intensively in recent years, which has influenced the air defense systems. For example, the weather is no longer an obstacle to air threats, so "it is very important for anti-aircraft missiles to have homing heads with reliable all-weather characteristics." In addition, enemy aircraft are increasingly receiving cover in the form of jammers and other protection systems, "therefore, the latest homing head, resistant to jamming, must be mandatory."
The company spokesman also added that in an increasingly complex air environment, anti-aircraft missiles should be able to take advantage of network resources. Finally, intercepting an enemy launch platform, for example, an aircraft, is often no longer enough, the systems must also be able to intercept small and high-precision attack weapons that this platform launches outside the air defense engagement zone."
This is a blow
The US Army cherishes plans to deploy a 50 kW high-energy laser on the Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle in 2023 (or earlier), in connection with which it will begin testing the system this year.
During the AUSA Global Force conference in March this year, several senior army generals met with journalists to discuss the army's missile defense and air defense strategy. Within its framework, the army develops and tests high-energy lasers under the Mobile High-Energy Laser program. The Army sees these weapons as an inexpensive addition to kinetic energy systems that can effectively deal with unguided rockets, artillery and mortar shells, as well as cruise missiles and UAVs.
In accordance with the plan, the army has tested high-energy lasers up to 10 kW and recently installed a 5 kW laser on a Stryker armored vehicle in Germany.
According to the head of the Office of Space and Missile Defense of the US Army, this year plans include a demonstration of a 50 kW installation on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. "50 kW will help us understand our ability to scale and integrate into Stryker."
According to the commander of the US Army artillery school, General Redall McIntyre, in the future, these capabilities will be included in the combat formation, which includes four batteries. One of them will have a directed energy system, and three more will have a combination of artillery and missile systems.
“In this case, you have a combat formation with a lot of tools at your disposal,” added McIntyre."Three battle batteries will be in the same battle formations with the brigade group, and the fourth will provide general support to the division's priorities and complement the main efforts in battle."
McIntyre noted that in the future, the army is considering a system with a capacity of 100 kW to equip a larger multi-tasking platform that could include missiles, artillery and a laser.
Maneuverability requirements
In addition to its activities in the framework of the MEADS / TLVS project, MBDA manufactures a number of other systems. Its representative, in particular, noted the CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) family of missiles, which are designed for use at sea and land and are capable of fighting cruise missiles, aircraft, precision munitions and other high-tech threats.
Currently, missiles are offered in two ranges: over 25 km and over 40 km. They have a high level of uniformity of 90%, the only main difference being the larger rocket engine and body of the CAMM-ER variant. In 2017, a series of tests of the CAMM missile in the British Navy was completed, where it received the designation Sea Ceptor. It is also in service with the British army, where it received the name Land Ceptor, and was chosen by five more countries, including Italy, which actually developed the ER version.
He also did not forget about the ASTER family of anti-aircraft missiles, which are in service with many countries, both in sea and in land applications. The ASTER 30 missile is also capable of intercepting threats at long ranges. ASTER 15 and 30 launch vertically and aim independently, effectively dealing with massive attacks. In addition, the family includes the ASTER 30 B1 variant and the latest 30 B1 NT missile for the extended air defense system.
In addition to functional flexibility and maneuverability, it is also important to meet a variety of deployment requirements. Deantona noted that with the Patriot complex, Raytheon “looks at a common problem and comes up with a common solution. In the United States, the expeditionary type of the armed forces, therefore, the Patriot is used to protect maneuverable forces, as well as critical facilities. Therefore, the US military uses, for example, generators installed on trailers and is trained to work in very harsh conditions."
“However, some of the Patriot operator countries are concerned with protecting their sovereignty and their airspace, they are not faced with any expeditionary missions. Therefore, they install Patriot complexes, including radars, on stationary sites on a special concrete base, where electricity is obtained from the country's power system."
Coyne noted that at the ranges at which the MEADS complex works, it should be able to work in an autonomous scenario, in layered defense along with systems like THAAD, or be able to protect combat units. “He must be ready to work in the shortest possible time to provide cover for combat units. This is a very difficult requirement, but it is determined by the current threats."
Open to improvement
Kongsberg partners together with Raytheon are developing NASAMS, a short and medium-range complex that can use AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile missiles (AMRAAM - an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile) manufactured by the American company … Kir Lohn, spokesman for Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, highlighted the importance of open architecture and standards in order to rapidly deploy a rapidly evolving set of technologies.
In his opinion, the key component here is the fire control center FDC (Fire Distribution Center) of the NASAMS complex, which "is more than just a fire control tool", serving rather as an operational control unit, which, among other things, can also control the fire. A wide variety of tactical data feeds and other systems were implemented in the FDC, the idea was to be able to "integrate any sensor and any firing platform."
It is a response to “a continuous stream of new threats, from nanodrones to high-altitude unmanned systems, new fighters and helicopters, not to mention air and ground-launched weapons - the list goes on,” Lone said."The approach taken at NASAMS must be flexible, fluid and adaptable in order to cope with a wide range of threats."
The NASAMS complex is capable of unrestrictedly connecting and integrating with other platforms and weapon systems in a combined space, which makes it possible to reduce the preparation time for the task, as well as increase efficiency through networked systems.
Deantona noted that in terms of geography, Raytheon sees "a strong and growing need for air defense systems around the world." He said that "threats in Europe are driving demand for the Patriot complex." Romania became the 14th partner country in November last year, and Poland and Sweden, respectively, 15 and 16 customers. In addition, "there is tremendous interest in the NASAMS complex in Europe and Asia."
In October 2017, it was announced that Lithuania and Indonesia had signed contracts for NASAMS complexes worth $ 128 and 77 million, respectively. "Although these needs are connected with the desire to fight threats, there are deeper and more differentiated factors behind this, and not just a response to one global threat."
“The bottom line is that integrated air and missile defense systems do more than just protect against threats. They are essentially defensive systems that ensure regional stability by deterring aggression."
In addition, the real availability of systems such as NASAMS and Patriot means that “customers do not have to wait ten years to deploy a complex - it is ready today. Along with this, systems continue to evolve in terms of capabilities. Systems at any given time are ahead of threats due to evolutionary development."
Another in-demand element that customers want is interoperability. “Allied and coalition operations are the norm today and will continue to develop in the future. Interoperability is essential to the success of these operations,”said Deantona.
“The global market for MEADS-based systems is very promising, driven by threats that can be neutralized with this type of capability,” said Coyne, noting that open architecture is attractive to a number of countries.
“Countries can invest as much as they want. They can do it piece by piece. They can also tie their previous investments in executive components and sensors to this open architecture. That is, any one-size-fits-all approach does not fit with open architecture suites such as MEADS or MEADS-based TLVS."
Propagation forecast
Looking at the future, Deantona noted that he did not undertake to predict the future yet. "It would be more correct to say that the threat will develop and spread." The company must be one step ahead. It is worth noting the development of systems based on gallium nitride, which can significantly reduce the power consumption of radars and get an incredible increase in capabilities."
In terms of application, “we are moving into an era of layered defense. It is no longer enough to have a separate system or sensor or actuator. The threat is becoming more complex, we see a desire to integrate these systems, missiles and sensors into a multi-tiered integrated architecture that will provide defense in depth."
Finally, Deantona noted the growing importance of cyberspace. Although, due to secrecy, he could not elaborate on this in more detail, he said that this is something "about which we are well aware and are taking the necessary steps for the flawless operation of our missile defense and air defense systems in any combat situation."
The representative of the MBDA company, in turn, noted that "the latest technology in the field of air defense is laser technology."They offer advantages in certain scenarios, allowing small and low-cost commercial UAVs to be dealt with at relatively low cost.
“In addition, laser systems also offer scalability ranging from target tracking and containment to target damage and destruction. Our company is involved in a number of laser weapons development programs in Germany and in the British Dragonfire."
Coyne agreed, noting that the idea of directed energy in air defense / missile defense systems 10-15 years ago “was not heard, there was simply no way to implement it. And now there is a completely workable option. " And this again underlines the importance of maintaining an open architecture that makes it easy to integrate new technologies. "This approach really opens many doors and allows us to stay ahead of threats, albeit given the time and resources needed to develop this type of technology."
