Adelman on MEADS
July 9, 2003 :: Tech Central Station :: Analysis
Ken Adelman, assistant to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld from 1975 to 1977 and U.N. ambassador and arms-control director under President Ronald Reagan, discusses the “next generation” of SDI, and the capabilities of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Analysis, Land-Based Systems, Technology
» Missile system details for: Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS)
Bush Pushes for New Generation of Smaller, Cleaner Nuclear Weapons
July 6, 2003 :: USA Today :: News
Coupled to the idea that defenses against nuclear attack are necessary is the idea that nuclear war is possible. A new, smaller and cleaner, generation of nuclear weapons weapons is necessary to a credible, because usable, deterrent. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Nuclear Weapons, Technology, Testing - American
Popular Science: Dawn of the Air Borne Laser
March 1, 2003 :: Popular Science :: News
Popular Science magazine presents an inside-look at the Air-Borne Laser missile defense system.
Here’s how it will happen: Six infrared sensors positioned on the fuselage will constantly scan all directions for hot missile exhaust plumes, which they can do autonomously or at the prompt of launch-detecting satellites. When one, or several, is located, the ABL’s multiple separate lasers will swing into action—-all within seconds. A laser ranging pod atop the plane’s cockpit, right now almost four stories above us as we stand on the ground, will spin around to face the first missile—-the one the computer has determined is most threatening —-and measure its distance with a carbon dioxide laser. The track illuminator laser, fired through the 12-inch aperture of the Wall of Fire and into the nose turret, will compensate for aircraft vibration and then pinpoint a specific area of the missile to aim at. The beacon illuminator laser, also fired through the nose turret, where a cassegrain reflector telescope expands the beam’s dimensions to 1.5 meters, will then use the beam-and fire- control unit’s adaptive optics to characterize the missile’s dimensions. (These optics, standard equipment on all the ABL’s turret-fired lasers, extend their range with mirror-flexing technology to compensate for atmospheric turbulence.) Finally, the computer will fire the high-energy laser, which will focus down from 1.5 meters in diameter to a much smaller spot of light by the time it reaches the target. As the laser dwells on the missile’s flank for 2 or 3 seconds, the oxidizer or fuel tank will rupture and the missile will explode.
The article quotes Ted Postel, longtime opponent of missile defenses, with some interesting observations about the ABL:
Others think the laser itself will work but could fail in its prime mission; in other words, that the ABL may be better suited for attacking long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellites than short-range weapons that operate within relatively compact geographic areas. “Theater ballistic missiles have shorter-powered flight time at lower altitudes where the atmosphere is denser,” says Ted Postol, a professor of science, technology and national security policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Going against an ICBM would be easier because the missile undergoes longer-powered flight, and the intercept would occur in less atmosphere.”
Postel’s observation is interesting for the following reason: he points out the weaknesses of the ABL—incidentally begun under the Clinton administration as an excuse for not doing more serious missile defenses—and in so doing makes the case for other systems which would be more effective. Longer range ICBMs are indeed more vulnerable than shorter theater ballistic missiles, but for this very reason a space based laser would make additional sense. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Air, Policy, Technology
» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL)
Chinese CSS-5 Test May Have Included Anti-BMD Countermeasures
September 1, 2002 :: Jane's Information Group :: News
The September 1 edition of Janes Missiles and Rockets reports that the early July test of their CSS-5 ballistic missile (range 2,150-2,500km) may have included the test of countermeasures, desinged to overcome ballistic missile defenses, such as those the United States will deploy around 2004-2005, after the June 13, 2002 withdrawal from the ABM Treaty.
If true, the timing of the test of countermeasures may very likely suggest a “message” to the United States that China will do all within its power to retain a strong offensive nuclear capability against America.
Janes cites US press reports that the missile test involved the deploying of six or seven decoy warheads besides its main payload warhead. The CSS-5 can carry a high explosive or a nuclear warhead of up to 300 kT yield.
This particular test of the CSS-5, or DF-21, began with a launch from the Jiangxi province and traveling some 1,300 km into the Kansu province. The DF-21 has a solid propellant, more advanced than liquid propellants and capable of much faster launch readiness.
According to Janes, China’s IRBM force is said to be located in the provinces of Datong in central China, Jianshui in southern China, Tonghua in northeast China, and Lianxiwang in western China. (Link)
» More stories on: China, Technology, Testing - Foreign
» Missile details: CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5
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