Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System - a knol by Vijainder K Thakur
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System
The system will be based on radar technology for tracking and fire control which the DRDO developed jointly with Israel and France.
In Phase I the BMD system will be implemented as a two tiered terminal phase interceptor system comprising of
1. Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) exo-atmospheric interceptor missile for intercepting targets outside the atmosphere.
2. Advanced Air Defense (AAD) endo-atmospheric interceptor missile for intercepting targets up to an attitude of 30 kms . The seven-meter long AAD interceptor is a single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, equipped with an inertial navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro- mechanical activator totally under command by the data up-linked from the sophisticated ground based radars to the interceptor, sources said.
3. 'Swordfish' Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR). The Swordfish LRTR has been developed from the Green Pine early warning and fire control radars imported by India from Israel in 2001-2002.
DRDO is developing an PAD interceptor code named PDV. The two stage missile will use solid propellents for both the stages, greatly improving the response time of the missile.
The PDV will be equipped with a innovative system to allow the missile to maneuver at altitudes of 150 km.
“We expect to have trials of this early next year,” V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister said in October 2009.
Interceptors Warheads
The AAD interceptor is equipped with a P-charge [projectile charge] warhead that can penetrate thick steel and cause damage with a high hit [repeat hit] density.
"That means the number of holes you create per unit area is very high," a DROD official told the press in October.
BMD Tests
India has conducted three successful intercepts using the Phase 1 system against non maneuvering targets in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
On March 6, 2009 a PAD missile successfully intercepted a modified Dhanush surface-to-surface missile fired, from INS Rajput anchored inside the Bay of Bengal at 1620 hours, towards Wheeler Island, simulating a target “enemy” missile with a range of 1,500 km.
On November 27, 2006 a PAD missile intercepted a Prithvi ballistic missile at 48 km altitude.
In December 2007 an AAD missile intercepted a target missile at an altitude of 15kms.
India is also developing two new missiles, AD-1 and AD-2, as part of the ABM system. These Phase II missiles are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range in excess of 5000 km and probably represent elements of a mid-course interception system.
Upcoming Test
DRDO plans to test an improved version of its AAD endo-atmospheric interceptor missile towards the end of 2009.
The Advanced Air Defense (AAD) interceptor has so far been successfully tested up to an altitude of 15 kms. In the new test the interceptor will "kill" an incoming target missile at 30 km to validate the efficacy of the missile in its entire endo-atmospheric envelope.
The news AAD interceptor will feature improved maneuverability at altitudes approaching 30km, where the air is thinner.
The AAD interceptor has also been equipped with a P-charge [projectile charge] warhead that can penetrate thick steel and cause damage with a high hit [repeat hit] density.
"That means the number of holes you create per unit area is very high," a DROD official **told the press**
Sources say that if the tests prove successful, the DRDO will go ahead and deploy the system by 2015.
Boost Phase Missile Defense
The Laser and Science Technology Centre (LASTEC) is also reported to be developing lasers to takeout enemy missiles during their boost phase, when they are most vulnerable.
"It's easier to kill a missile in boost phase as it has not gained much speed and is easier to target. It cannot deploy any countermeasures and it is vulnerable at that time," DRDO's Air Defense Program Director V K Saraswat told PTI in January 2009.
"In LASTEC, we are developing many of these technologies. We have to package these technologies on aircraft like the Americans have done on their systems," he added.
"It is an involved process and not just about producing lasers. We have to put in many systems like the surveillance and tracking systems together for such a system to work. It will take another 10-15 years before we talk of integrating all these elements," he said.
A Boost Phase Missile defense system will need to rely on a space based launch detection system like the SBIRS satellite constellation being deployed by the US. Unlike the SBIRS, which is global in scope, India would require a more limited system to monitor Pakistan and China. India could also buy into the US SBIRS while developing its own limited constellation.
Satellite Kill Vehicle
ISRO is developing a satellite kill vehicle as part of its BMD system, according to DRDO Defense Research and Development Organization Director General V.K. Saraswat.
The hit-to-kill vehicle will use an imaging infra-red seeker and a 3-D laser image of a target satellite in low earth orbit to guide itself to impact.
No tests of the system have been scheduled so far.
"We are working to ensure space security and protect our satellites. At the same time we are also working on how to deny the enemy access to our space assets," Saraswat told newsmen at the Science Congress on January 4.
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