Details of testing a new ground-based missile defense (GMD) missile on June 6, 2010 have been revealed. Military and commercial contractors have announced that they have successfully tested the capabilities of the new kinetic interceptor.
Behind this seemingly ordinary news about the testing of the American missile defense shield is the testing of a new class of weapon - the transatmospheric kinetic interceptor (EKV). In fact, this is the first serial weapon that can be used to intercept and destroy space objects.
Raytheon positions its interceptor as the main weapon for ground-based missile defense missiles, but the technical characteristics of the EKV are very similar to the plans for the SDI program's space interceptor bombs. In fact, it is a small spacecraft equipped with powerful corrective engines for intercepting maneuvering objects, infrared sensors capable of identifying targets, cooled by an optical telescope, communications equipment and a guidance system.
As standard, the EKV strikes a target with kinetic energy - simply by hitting it at speeds up to 10 km / s. It is potentially capable of not only intercepting spacecraft in the Earth's orbit, but also launching into any other orbits for combat duty, as well as being based on spaceships. Light weight (about 100 kg) and dimensions (about 1.5 m) allow to place an EKV equipped with a powerful rocket booster, for example, in the cargo hold of the newest unmanned US Air Force shuttle X-37B, which will automatically turn into a space fighter-bomber.
You can see how modern technology makes it possible to create multipurpose weapons. Putting weapons into space is fraught with diplomatic complications, but the leading space power has found a way to avoid international scandals by developing unique and technologically advanced dual-use devices.
