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December 4, 2008
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Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
| Country: | USA |
|---|---|
| Basing: | Land |
| In Service: | 2004 |
Details
The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, scheduled for deployment in September 2004, will be the United States’ first operational missile defense program capable of protecting all 50 states. GMD will detect and track long-range ballistic missiles in their boost phase, and destroy them during their midcourse phase, i.e. while the missiles are outside the atmosphere and at their highest trajectory. The Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency is currently installing six interceptor missiles at Fort Greely in Alaska, and four at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Over 20 interceptors are scheduled for deployment over the next two years.
Although MDA developed many of GMD’s technologies during the 1980s and 1990s, the project officially began in 1998 with a $1.6 billion dollar contract to Boeing. Subcontractors include Raytheon, TRW, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Bechtel, and Teledyne Brown Engineering. The project is currently undergoing extensive ground and flight tests.
Upon completion, GMD will consist of an complex array of synchronized components: Air Force Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites; Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) satellites; the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS); Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWRs); a Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) unit; the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX); and Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missiles.
In a typical combat scenario, DSP and SBIRS-High satellites scan the horizon for hostile ballistic missile launches. Once a threat has been detected, the satellites estimate the missile’s flight path. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System monitors the threat as it makes its way across the globe, while Upgraded Early Warning Radars predict its final destination. This allows GMD to launch its interceptors as early as possible. The BMC3 unit on the ground integrates all surveillance and tracking information.
The interceptor missile itself, known as the Ground-Based Interceptor, is located in an underground silo. Once launched, the GBI streaks toward the target’s predicted location, receiving in-flight updates along the way. MDA is currently developing a Sea-Based X-Band Radar, scheduled for completion in 2005, to guide the GBI and allow it to differentiate between warheads and decoys. In the meantime, GMD will use existing radars located on the California coastline and the Alaskan Aleutian Islands.
At a predetermined point, the GBI releases its Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). The EKV is 55 inches long and weighs 140 pounds. It has its own infrared seeker, guidance system, and motor. As it closes in on its target, the EKV integrates data from the XBR with its on-board sensors and locks on to the enemy missile. The EKV continuously adjusts its flight path until it collides with the target (like a bullet hitting a bullet). The hit-to-kill impact causes complete destruction of the warhead, including any nuclear, chemical, or biological agents.
Since 1999, MDA has conducted seven GMD hit-to-kill tests. Five have been successful. The most recent test was on October 14, 2002, when a GBI from the Reagan Test Site in the central Pacific Ocean tracked and destroyed a target vehicle launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base at an altitude of 140 miles and a closing speed in excess of 15,000 miles per hour. Since then, MDA has also conducted two successful flight tests of the GBI boost vehicle. MDA plans to perform approximately seventeen more hit-to-kill intercepts over the next several years. MDA is also developing and constructing a Test Bed that will allow it to conduct rigorous EKV tests at angles, speeds, and conditions that closely resemble operational scenarios.
Despite these recent successes, several prominent Democrats have criticized MDA’s decision to deploy interceptor missiles at Fort Greely and Vandenberg. During the Democratic primaries, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) voiced his complete opposition to the program. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) echoed his colleague, adding, “There is such a rush to deploy that I think it’s going to be an embarrassment to them—to the country—if we rush to judgment, rush to the commitment of resources.” Sen. John Edwards (D-NC), and Ret. Army Gen. Wesley Clark also expressed their concerns.
All the same, GMD has received enthusiastic support from the Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress, and there are no foreseeable delays to its deployment. Over the next year, in fact, MDA will decide whether or not to build a third GMD interceptor site. Europe is a top choice for its location, since it would provide increased defense against missiles launched from the Middle East. MDA acknowledges that this potential third site could be either land-based or sea-based, and could be fielded as early as 2006.
Sources
The Boeing Company.
“Boeing-Led Missile Defense Team Scores Another ‘Hit’; Successful System Test Includes Intercept Over Pacific.” Boeing Press Release, 14 October 2002.
“Boeing Wins $1.6 Billion-Dollar Contract From DoD’s Joint Program Office To Act As Lead System Integrator for National Missile Defense Program.” Boeing Press Release, 30 April 1998.
“Boeing-Orbital Team Successfully Launches Booster Vehicle.” Boeing Press Release, 16 August 2003.
“Boeing Conducts Successful GMD Integrated Flight Test,” Boeing Press Release, 26 January 2004.
Breen, Tom. “Missile Defense Agency; Countdown To Historic Deployment.” Armed Forces Journal, 1 April 2004.
Federation of American Scientists, Description of GBI.
Federation of American Scientists, Description of XBR.
Globalsecurity.org.
Missile Defense Agency.
Raytheon Company.
Selinger, Marc. “GMD Successfully Conducts Flight Test With New Booster.” Aerospace Daily, 28 January 2004.
Selinger, Marc. “Sen. Kerry Opposes Upcoming Missile Defense Deployment.” Aerospace Daily, 21 January 2004.
Selinger, Marc. “Third Site For GMD Interceptors Could Be Picked In A Year.” Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, 28 April 2004.
General: Reliable BMD May be Years Out
The October 21 edition of Inside the Pentagon includes a story on the delayed deployment of the Alaska and California ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) system.
The article also discusses the likely operational capability of the system after formal “deployment.” Of particular interest is a quote from a Marine Corps General James Cartwright, Strategic Command chief. Cartwright suggests that even when the system comes on-line, it could be years before an adequate chain-of-command is established, to permit the timely firing of interceptors. The command chain would apparently be similar to that which required for the use of nuclear weapons. The relevant excerpt:
For a period of several more years, the initial system’s capabilities will be tentative, at best, Cartwright conceded in an Oct. 6 interview with ITP. In a real attack, a missile intercept using the fledgling defenses would require what Cartwright calls “the alignment of three consecutive miracles,” when “I happen to have the system on, I happen to have it in a configuration that it could be fired, and maybe I’ve got some percentage chance in confidence that I’ve gotten all the way through all the protocols—probably not.”
To be clear, such command level problems do not constitute any reason to further delay deployment. If it will take some time to work out details, or conduct further testing, this should be done sooner rather than later. And it would be better to have a missile defense system “on” half the time, rather than never. At the same time, it seems patently absurd that such problems should require years to solve. If true, however, Cartwright’s bleak assessment of our operational capability signals a substantial failure of bureaucracy.
» More stories on: Deployment, Policy
» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Fifth Interceptor Installed at Ft. Greely, Alaska
On September 25, the missile defense agency installed the fifth of six interceptors expected to be deployed this year at the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) site, at Fort Greely, Alaska. One more is yet to be installed at Greely, and two will be installed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, later this year.
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Fourth Interceptor Now in Place
On Wednesday, September 22, the Missile Defense Agency put in place the fourth of six Ground-based Midcourse Defense missile interceptors scheduled to be installed this year. The other two are expected sometime in October. The third interceptor was emplaced only a few days before, on September 18.
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Third Interceptor in Place at Fort Greely, Alaska
The third of six interceptors scheduled to be deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska by the end of this year has now been emplaced in its launch silo on September 15. Two other interceptors will be fielded at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by the end of the year.
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Second Interceptor Installed at Fort Greely
The Missile Defense Agency installed the second Ground-based interceptor in an underground silo at Fort Greely this past week, according to the September 10 edition of Aerospace Daily and Defense Report. The first interceptor was “emplaced” on July 22, and the third is expected to be installed “probably within the next 10 days or so,” according to an MDA spokesman.
Update: An MDA press release reports that a total of six interceptors will be emplaced by October, as well as two more at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by the end of the year.
» MDA on second and future emplacements
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
First Ground Based Interceptor Lowered Into Alaska Silo
The first Ground-Based Interceptor was today lowered into a silo at Fort Greely, Alaska, one of many which will soon form the first line of defense against long range ballistic missiles from countries such as North Korea. Five additional interceptors will be deployed in Alaska by the end of September, for a total of six. An additional ten are scheduled to be added to Fort Greely by the end of 2005, as well as an additional four at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, for a total of twenty. The interceptors form a major part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
The first interceptor uses an Orbital booster, and will be armed with the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, or EKV. Although placed inside the silo, it is not yet operational.
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
U.S. in Missile Defense Talks with Czechs, Poles
The United States continues talks with both Poland and the Czech Republic, for the countries to possibly host a European-based group of missile defense interceptors and radars, reports the London Guardian. The base could be wholly extraterritorial, and some 100km square. Similar talks have been underway with Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania, but are not believed to be as developed. The Guardian notes that Russia would likely be opposed to having missile defense interceptors so near its own territory, thus potentially weakening its offensive nuclear arsenal against the United States. The interceptors would be quite useful, however, against missile strikes from Iran against either the United States or Europe itself.
A European base would likely station the same Ground Based Interceptors to be deployed in Alaska and California in the coming months.
» More stories on: Allies
» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
First Booster Delivered to Greely
The first booster for the Ground Based Interceptors has been delivered to Fort Greely Alaska. The missile was flown from Vandenburg Air Force Base, and will be assembled in Alaska. Still needing to be fully assembled, it will be the first missile deployed, and put on alert.
» More stories on: Policy
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Third Test Flight of GMD Missile Booster a Success
Yesterday’s test of a new booster rocket for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system was a success. The test, Integrated Flight Test-13b, began with an Orbital booster rocket lifting off from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, and then traveling to a simulated intercept point some 800 miles downrange and at an approximate altitude of 170 miles. No intercept was attempted, although a target missile and a kill vehicle were simulated. The successful test follows another held on January 9.
» MDA Booster Rocket Program press release, noting “dual-booster strategy” for rocket acquisition
» Jan. 9, 2003: Lockheed Booster Test
» Oct. 25, 2003: First missile defense brigade activated, in Colorado
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Technology, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Successful Test-Launch of GMD Booster
The MDA today conducted a simple booster verification test launch of the three stage Lockheed Martin booster, Booster Verification Test-5, which is to be used for the Ground-Based Midcourse defense system to be deployed this year in Alaska and California.
A second booster for the GMD system is being built by the Orbital company, which is owned by Boeing.
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Technology, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
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