Flaws found in U.S. missile shield

[asianobserve]

Detecting RVs and identifying them has always been a problem, here Indian and Israeli AESA systems have the upper hand compared to American and Russian PESA systems.

Americans use X-band radars like the AN/TPY-2 and SBX for BMD while Israel uses L-Band Green Pine. My basic knowledge is that X-Band is a more narrower wavelength and can produce a clearer picture while L-Band is wider and offers a bigger picture but not as precise as X-Band. And with regards to the radars performance, the following are published:

1. AN/TPY-2 (X-Band), Range is up to 1,000 km, introduced in 2006. One is stationed in the Negev Desert under American control as part of the BMD system.

2. SBX (X-Band) - Put in operation in 2006

"The radar has been described by Lt. Gen Trey Obering (director of MDA) as being able to track an object the size of a baseball over San Francisco in California from the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, approximately 2,900 miles (4,700 km) away. The radar will guide land-based missiles from Alaska and California, as well as in-theatre assets."

3. Green Pine (L-Band) - Range up to 500 kms (but Super Green Pine is up to 900 kms.) with known precision of +/- 4 meters. In service since 1995.

 

[asianobserve]

American BMD Briefing August 2012:

http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/bmds_briefing12.pdf

 

[p2prada]

Americans use X-band radars like the AN/TPY-2 and SBX for BMD while Israel uses L-Band Green Pine. My basic knowledge is that X-Band is a more narrower wavelength and can produce a clearer picture while L-Band is wider and offers a bigger picture but not as precise as X-Band. And with regards to the radars performance, the following are published:

Yes, you are right here.

1. AN/TPY-2 (X-Band), Range is up to 1,000 km, introduced in 2006. One is stationed in the Negev Desert under American control as part of the BMD system.

This is for THAAD.

PAC-3 used the AN/MPQ-5 which works in the 4-8GHz spectrum or C band.

Both are PESAs.

2. SBX (X-Band) - Put in operation in 2006

PESA again. And this has little to do with the actual BMD system. It is actually an early warning system.

3. Green Pine (L-Band) - Range up to 500 kms (but Super Green Pine is up to 900 kms.) with known precision of +/- 4 meters. In service since 1995.

Greenpine has gone through several transformations today.

India developed one called the Swordfish. For the Phase 1 BMD the range is 800 Km (on operational versions), with thousands of targets tracked.

For Phase 2 BMD, the range will be extended to 1500Km, which should have been done by now for tests.

Current programs for X band AESA radars in India are entirely unknown. LRDE had sent X band T/R modules for testing a few years ago. So, this may be part of the BMD program. There is a high chance we are already developing X band AESA radars. Perhaps as part of the Phase 2 of the BMD.

We already have established capability in fielding S band radars, that's what's going on the DRDO-CABS AEW&C, apart from L band radars.

 

[asianobserve]

PESA again. And this has little to do with the actual BMD system. It is actually an early warning system.

The SBS tracks incoming ballistic missiles through space during the 20 or so minutes that they are outside the Earth's atmosphere. The radar then transmits detailed tracking information to GMD's command unit, which calculates a fire mission and launch its Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missile. As the GBI streaks towards the threat, SBX distinguishes between warheads and decoys, ensuring the interceptor's accuracy. The radar continues to relay updated targeting information after GBI launches its Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), which will proceed on a collision-course trajectory toward the target. SBX determines whether or not the EKV destroyed the warhead, and prepares to support a second launch if necessary.

Sea-based X-Band Radar (SBX) | Missile ThreatMissile Threat


It seems that the SBX radar operates not only as an early warning radar, but is also an acquisition and GCI radar.

And, regarding the use of PESA by the US in general, note that they first operated EASA radars and has the best technological base for development of new ones yet they preferred their new ABM radars to be PESA X-band radars, so there must be logic in their preference of such technology. Note further that the American THAAD and SBX radars are newer radars than the Israeli Green Pine.

 

[p2prada]

It seems that the SBX radar operates not only as an early warning radar, but is also an acquisition and GCI radar.

I am not sure how far this program has progressed.

As of today, the EKV seems to be fiction.

From the ppt you posted earlier, American BMD relies on AEGIS, PAC-3 and THAAD.

If there is something else, then let's wait for actual information.

As of today, the radar they moved to Israel wasn't the SBX or a derivative, it was the TPY-2.

And, regarding the use of PESA by the US in general, note that they first operated EASA radars and has the best technological base for development of new ones yet they preferred their new ABM radars to be PESA X-band radars, so there must be logic in their preference of such technology.

Look, it is not as simple as that. Firstly, AESA is always superior to PESA. It doesn't matter what reason they found to use only PESAs. For all you know they could be developing new AESA replacements. They may be employing PESA today only because it is cheaper. They appear to be aiming for world wide coverage, or at least what they think deserves to be protected. Their own continent, western Europe and parts of East Asia.

Lastly, our development is not centered at just one radar. Swordfish is just one radar. We have developed another X band radar in conjunction with Thales. We don't know anything about this radar. Swordfish will be the early warning system, with a range of 800-1500Km. This French radar will be the guidance radar which will be used to guide the missile towards the target. It is also called a Fire Control radar. The Indo-French radar is confirmed information. We merely don't know anything else about it.

In reality, we have far surpassed PAC-3's specifications. With the integration of PDV, we will have surpassed THAAD as well.

Note further that the American THAAD and SBX radars are newer radars than the Israeli Green Pine.

Greenpine is a very old system today. Even this system has undergone various modifications.

India's newer Swordfish derivatives may not even be close to the original Greenpine's design.

 

[Damian]

@p2prada there are also GBI missiles placed in USA.

 

[p2prada]

@p2prada there are also GBI missiles placed in USA.

Yes, but these are only undergoing development tests. The missile used in the program (GMD - Ground based mid course defense) is abbreviated as EKV or Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle. GBI is the EKV's silo and firing unit. FBR is the fire control radar which will be placed around many places. One is confirmed to be in Israel and another will be placed in Japan pretty soon, if not already.

Developments on going, but there have been more failures than successes. More like mixed successes.
This is also a mid course interception system.

Honestly, lets see how good this system is once it is properly deployed. Europe will also see this system soon. But only SM-3 missiles as of now.

As I mentioned earlier, the Americans are numero uno when it comes to mid course defense.