According to American official documents, the global missile defense (ABM) system of the United States of America, including components for the defense of the country's territory, regions, theaters of military operations and individual objects, should be created in stages, evolutionary. The architecture of the system (both intermediate and final) has not yet been determined and exists only for the initial missile defense capabilities deployed by 2004. In 2014, Boeing received a five-year contract from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense Agency (APRO) worth $ 325 million for a cycle of work related to the optimization of the architecture of the global missile defense system (BMDS).
A network of missile defense systems and means is being created, which will be adaptive, tenacious, financially feasible, and capable of withstanding future threats. All missile defense systems must be adaptive (mobile or transportable, capable of rapid deployment, have the potential for modernization) and make it possible to compensate for inaccuracies in threat assessments. To increase the adaptability of the systems and increase their capabilities for the destruction of ballistic missiles (BM) of medium, intermediate and intercontinental ranges in the early flight phases, the locations of the observation and destruction equipment should be optimized by the end of this decade.
The Missile Defense Agency allocated $ 7.64 billion for ABM work in fiscal 2014, and $ 7.871 billion in fiscal 2015.
For the 2016 fiscal year, $ 8, 127 billion was requested, for 2017 - 7, 801 billion, for 2018 - 7, 338 billion, for 2019 - 7, 26 billion, and for 2020 - 7, 425 billion dollars. In total, during the 2016-2020 fiscal years, it is planned to spend 37, 951 billion dollars.
ANTI-MISSION INTERCEPTORS
Currently, the US Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system includes 30 GBI interceptors (26 at Fort Greeley, Alaska, and 4 at Vandenberg AFB, California). The deployment of an additional 14 GBI interceptor missiles at Fort Greeley is to be completed by the end of 2017.
The US Department of Defense intends to create a third position area with GBI anti-missiles in the country. An environmental assessment of four possible deployment areas has been announced. The examination is expected to be completed in 2016, after which a decision will be made on the construction of mine launchers, control and communication centers, as well as auxiliary facilities in one of the indicated areas.
The development of the missile defense infrastructure continues. At Fort Greeley, work has begun on the construction of a buried GBI missile launch control station, protected from the shock wave and electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear explosion. The cost of the work is estimated at $ 44.3 million, the completion date is March 2016.
The main emphasis in the coming years will be on the maintenance and development of US missile defense. Trials will continue to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the assets already deployed. The software of the GMD combat control and communication system, as well as the algorithms for recognizing the targets of the interceptor, will be improved. The latter will be modernized: by 2020, a so-called Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) of a modular type has been created with higher reliability, efficiency and lower cost. The existing GBI interceptor missiles will be modernized and new two-stage missiles created. Much attention will be paid to improving the reliability and combat readiness of interceptor missiles, which should allow "to fight a greater number of threats with a smaller number of GBI interceptor missiles."
The system of combat command and control and communications of the US missile defense system is being improved. By 2017, a second In-Flight Interceptor Communication System Data Terminal (IFICSTD) will be upgraded by 2020. This will allow communication with GBI missiles to be maintained over long distances and will increase the effectiveness of the defense of the US East Coast.
In 2014, successful tests (FTG-06b) of the US ground-based missile defense system were carried out, during which the transatmospheric interceptor intercepted the target in the face of opposition. The purpose of the test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the GBI CE-II (Capability Enhancement II) interceptor missile against an intermediate-range missile. At the end of 2016, FTG-15 tests are to take place with interception of ICBMs for the first time. Testing of engines of the control system and target recognition algorithms is planned.
In early 2015, the United States had five AN / TPY-2 forward-based radars and four JTAGS combined tactical ground stations, which provide the transmission of missile attack warning system (EWS) data to consumers.
In 2015, the fifth battery of the THAAD system is to be deployed (the first at Fort Near, the second on the island of Guam). In total, it is planned to have eight batteries so far: three batteries - from the fifth to the eighth - are expected to be deployed in 2015-2017, about two years earlier than planned. In total, by the end of 2016, 203 THAAD anti-missiles will be in service. Until 2015, 11 tests of the THAAD interceptor missile were carried out, all of which were recognized as successful. An FTT-18 test is scheduled for 2015 to intercept an intermediate-range missile warhead. The development of the THAAD 2.0 missile defense system is underway, which will have significantly higher characteristics.
The number of Patriot air defense systems is supposed to remain the same: 15 battalions with 60 batteries in their composition. An improved version of the PAC-3 interceptor missile, the PAC-3 MSE, is being adopted, which has a longer range and is capable of dealing with more advanced and complex threats. The Patriot PAC-3 air defense system radar (up to configuration 3) has been upgraded, now they can even distinguish manned aircraft from unmanned aircraft, and identify the most dangerous among ballistic targets. In 2017, it is planned to start a new radar modernization program, which will have electronic beam scanning, wider tracking capabilities for complex and multiple targets, as well as an increased range, higher survivability, low cost, increased protection against electronic warfare, and increased operational readiness.
PRIORITY TO COVER US TERRITORY
From October 2012 to June 2014, the United States conducted 14 tests (four with Israel) as part of the work on the creation of anti-missile defense systems and means, which is clearly not enough, congressmen believe. The military continues to adopt systems that have not passed a sufficient number of tests and are unable to counter the use of decoys and other countermeasures by the enemy. 12 flight tests are scheduled for fiscal 2015, including the interception of a simulated ICBM warhead (FTG-06b test). Seven flight tests are scheduled for fiscal 2016.
The combat control and communication system (SBUS) of the missile defense system is being actively modernized. Northrop Grumman received another option worth $ 750 million to the base 10-year contract of the ABM agency for the global network-centric SBUS. The total cost of the contract is estimated at $ 3.25 billion. Among the main facilities being upgraded are the Pentagon's central command post near Washington (District of Columbia), the 100th US Army Brigade (serving, among other things, the positional areas of GBI anti-missile missiles), the Air Force's command center in Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Navy communications hubs in Dahlgren, Virginia, and Missile Defense Agency data centers in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Lockheed-Martin company continues, commissioned by the US Air Force, to debug and improve special software designed for operational analysis of the global aerospace situation. The aim of the effort is to comprehensively link air strikes with active and passive measures of protection against ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as manned enemy aircraft. So, for example, during the implementation of the DIAMOND Shield project, information coming from different geographic regions, information facilities of different bases and having a different format is processed at several command levels and summarized into a general information picture. At the same time, the highest priority is given to the missile defense and air defense of the territory of the United States, then - to cover the American troops in the theater of operations, and then to the important facilities of the allied countries.
The DoD and the US Defense Industry Association assess the progress of the SBIRS-High space-based infrared surveillance system as very successful. The SBIRS system should replace the existing space-based DSP missile warning system. Two SBIRS spacecraft are currently operating in geostationary and high elliptical circumpolar orbits (SBIRS GEO-1, -2 and SBIRS HEO-1, -2, respectively). The launch of the next two spacecraft into geostationary orbit is scheduled for 2015 and 2016. By 2019, a serious modernization of the ground component of the system is expected, the capacity of data transmission channels should be increased and the operational efficiency of the group's control should be increased. It is assumed that by this time the first two vehicles will have exhausted their resource and will be replaced by two new ones (SBIRS GEO-5 and -6). Also ready for launch are SBIRS HEO-3 and -4 payloads that will be deployed on US space reconnaissance vehicles as needed.
The improvement of space surveillance equipment should allow expanding the capabilities of target recognition by the missile defense system of the US territory and in the regions. The ongoing deployment of space-based means should make it possible to "launch anti-missiles remotely", and in the future, for example, at the stage of the 3rd European phased approach (EPAP), "to use interceptor missiles remotely."
In orbit, two experimental STSS spacecraft missile defense observation and tracking systems, launched in 2009, continue to operate. Sensors operating in the visible and infrared ranges of wavelengths are used for spacecraft; they are actively involved in flight tests of missile defense elements.
NEW RADAR AND SENSORS
In the APRO budget for 2016, much attention is paid to the creation by 2020 in Alaska of a large-aperture ground-based X-band radar (Long Range Discrimination Radar, LRDR) with enhanced capabilities for recognizing warheads; modernization by 2010 of the radar network of the UEWR missile attack warning system (by 2017 the radar in Clear will be improved, by 2018 - in Cape Cod); improving the network-centric architecture of combat control and communications; ensuring information security; countering foreign intelligence and especially cyber threats. The LRDR radar should expand the capabilities of the US missile defense system to recognize targets flying from the Pacific direction.
The US Congress is considering upgrading the existing large-aperture GBR-P (Ground-Based Radar - Prototype) X-band radar and moving it from Kwajalein Atoll to the US East Coast.
The sea-based X-band SBX radar continues to function as a high-precision radar for the middle segment of the BR flight path during flight tests, one of the goals of which is to improve target recognition algorithms. This radar is also used in the interests of the Pacific Command and the command of the North American continent.
The Pentagon announced its intention to deploy a stationary AN / FPS-132 early warning radar at a cost of $ 1.1 billion in Qatar. Reytheon was selected as the contractor. The range of the station is estimated at 3-5 thousand km, which is several times greater than the distance to the most distant point on the territory of Iran. It is assumed that the station will have three PAR canvases and provide a 360 ± sector view.
An important area of work is the inclusion of the forward-based AN / TPY-2 radar in the outer space control system. The technical characteristics of these radars make it possible to track satellites in orbit (and, apparently, to guide them), which was confirmed, in particular, during the corresponding experiment, funded by the Air Force Space Command, in January 2012. According to plans, in 2018 the missile defense command and control network will already include data on the movement of objects in orbits.
Much attention is paid to the creation of missile defense models and modeling, which saves money and evaluates the effectiveness of systems in conditions that cannot be reproduced. Improved target recognition algorithms continue to be developed.
The United States intends to strengthen its missile defense dominance, including through a more accurate assessment of threats from potential adversaries. An effective technology will be developed to recognize targets in any theater of operations, as well as ICBMs flying towards the United States.
APRO intends to start deploying sensors based on new technologies after 2020. In particular, it is planned to create a new generation of a laser system placed on unmanned aerial vehicles, costing much less than existing missile defense systems and capable of detecting and monitoring ballistic missiles, and, under certain conditions, even disable them. The use of these technologies can be especially effective in the active phase of a ballistic missile flight. Laser power scaling technology is being developed and tested with the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In fiscal 2016, a 34kW fiber-optic laser from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), capable of delivering 1kW of power per kg of weight, will be tested. Notable progress has been made at Livermore National Laboratory, which will test a 30 kW diode-pumped alkali metal vapor laser in 2016. As a possible carrier of laser systems at Edwards airbase, a promising UAV is undergoing flight tests, which has already demonstrated the ability to fly at an altitude of 16 km for about 33 hours.
A new sensor is being created for the tactical multispectral target designation system deployed on the MQ-9 "Reaper" UAV, which "will provide the ability to accurately track and recognize targets for thousands of kilometers."
The second stage of the Common Kill Vehicle (CKV) interceptor program is being implemented, which includes a variety of intercept vehicles, designed to engage targets outside the atmosphere and designed to become common for the new GBI two-stage interceptor missiles, SM-3 Block IIB interceptor missiles and next generation interceptor missiles. THAAD. As part of the first stage, the concept and requirements for the RKV interceptor for GBI interceptor missiles were developed. By 2017, it is planned to test control algorithms for interceptors.
The creation of the latest technologies of the future continues. The ABM Agency plans to finance the development, on a competitive basis, of the next generation of a solid-propellant guidance system and angular stabilization of the intercept stage, carrying several intercept vehicles. In addition, the study of the possibility of using an electromagnetic gun for solving missile defense problems will be continued.
In the future, the UAV of the "Reaper" type is planned to be equipped with sensors of a new multispectral target designation system.
Photo from the site www.af.mil
REGIONAL DEFENSE
Regional missile defense systems remain a top priority to protect US forces, their allies and coalition partners. The creation and deployment of missile defense systems to protect against short, medium and intermediate-range missiles in the interests of geographical commands continues.
As part of the European phased adaptive approach, missile defense continues to be created to protect US allies and troops in Europe. The second and third stages of EPAP are being implemented in parallel. The area of the protected area is being gradually expanded and the capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles are being built up - from short and medium-range missiles at the first stage (completed at the end of 2011) to intermediate / intercontinental ballistic missiles at the third stage (2018). The second and third stages envisage the creation in Romania by 2015 and in Poland by 2018 of US ground missile defense bases, equipped respectively with SM-3 Block IB and SM-3 Block IIA anti-missiles.
At the second stage, the Aegis multifunctional weapons control system (ISAR) should be upgraded to versions 4.0 and 5.0. Depending on the threats in the regions, the SM-3 Block IB interceptor missiles will accordingly be deployed by the Navy on a global scale. By the end of the 2016 fiscal year, a total of 209 of these interceptor missiles should have been purchased since the start of production.
Completion of the fourth phase was originally planned for 2020, but the administration has postponed its implementation until a later date. The main reason for the postponement (it was never mentioned in official statements) is, apparently, serious technical difficulties on the way of developing a fundamentally new SM-3 Block IIB interceptor missile (even the concept of a future interceptor missile has not yet been fully determined) and an interceptor (work on it has just begun). In addition, several serious technical problems emerged: the difficulty of recognizing false targets, the difficulty of controlling the interceptor at the final section, etc.
On October 3, 2013, the FTM-22 successfully passed flight tests with the interception of a medium-range missile, which made it possible to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of ISAR Aegis version 4.0 and SM-3 Block-IB missiles, and to make a decision to launch the latter into production. On January 15, 2014, the interception of three medium-range ballistic missiles was successfully simulated by the indicated interceptor missiles.
APRO continues to jointly develop the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile with Japan and modernize the Aegis ISAR. In June 2015, the first and successful flight tests of the interceptor missile took place. The latest version of ISAR (5.1) will be certified in the first quarter of 2018 and will be installed on ships and ground complexes.
The number of missile defense ships is increasing, by the end of 2016 there will be 35 of them. The number of ships deployed in the waters of various regions is growing. In particular, in 2015, the transfer of four missile-defense cruisers to the Spanish port of Rota, which began in 2014, will be completed.
THREATS ARE NAMED
At the NATO summit in Wales in September 2014, it was once again emphasized that missile defense, along with nuclear and conventional weapons, is a constituent of deterrence. North Korea and Iran are named as the main sources of threats.
The North Atlantic Alliance is actively pursuing a study of possible options for creating an anti-missile defense in Europe and ways of integrating it with the American missile defense system. NATO's missile defense activities are carried out in two directions: firstly, by 2018, within the framework of the ALTBMD program, an active layered theater missile defense system is created to protect the bloc's forces from small and medium-range missiles (countries provide detection and destruction means, NATO - a combat control and communication, integrates everything into the system of systems); secondly, the construction of an anti-missile defense (the so-called NATO missile defense), which ensures the protection of the territory, population and forces of the European NATO countries. According to the decisions taken, NATO missile defense should be the result of the expanded ALTBMD program.
Simultaneously with the aforementioned programs, the alliance is developing the concept of forming an integrated NATO air defense missile defense system, which should include a NATO missile defense system.
In accordance with the phased adaptive approach adopted by the American administration to the creation of missile defense in the regions, the deployment of antimissile defense in the Asia-Pacific region should proceed similarly to the creation of a missile defense system in Europe: the development of national systems, their integration and inclusion as an integral part of the global missile defense of the United States. The United States cooperates most closely on missile defense in the Asia-Pacific region with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia.
At the end of 2014, the United States had several Patriot batteries with PAC-3 interceptor missiles in Japan and the Republic of Korea, 2 AN / TPY-2 radars in Japan, 16 ships with Aegis missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region, and a THAAD battery on the island of Guam. The AN / TPY-2 radar is designed to strengthen regional defenses, "the security of Japan, US forward-based forces and US territory from the threat of North Korean ballistic missiles."
The United States intends to deploy THAAD anti-missile systems in South Korea, and possible locations have already been inspected. China has already expressed its concern.
The US Department of Defense actively uses for its own purposes the data of the Australian over-the-horizon radar network JORN, which makes it possible to detect and track sea and air objects at ranges up to 3 thousand km and altitudes up to 1 thousand km.
The United States intends to create a "cooperative" missile defense system in the Persian Gulf zone. Former Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel offered Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia to jointly finance the deployment of American missile defense systems in the Persian Gulf. In his opinion, NATO missile defense can serve as an example of such cooperation. As you know, each of these states has bought or continues to acquire missile defense / air defense systems and radars necessary for them from the United States. And on the largest scale - the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
In the Middle East, the United States can already use AN / TPY-2 radars in Israel and Turkey, ships with the Aegis missile defense system in the adjacent seas, as well as, in the future, THAAD anti-missile systems with AN / TPY-2 radar, as elements of the global missile defense system. supplied to the countries of the Persian Gulf.
The United States is trying to use technology developed by Israel through programs such as David's Sling, Iron Dome, Upper Tier Interceptor, and Arrow interceptor missile. Arrow), to their advantage. Antimissile systems are being purchased, in particular radars and other components of the Iron Dome system.
Thus, the United States, attracting NATO countries, its partners and friends in various regions of the world, combining detection, tracking, engagement, command and control means into a common network, is actually building a unified aerospace defense capable of solving in the long term on a global scale as tasks Anti-missile defense and anti-space defense.
