Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
February 11, 2012
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Aegis Ship-Based BMD
| Country: | USA |
|---|---|
| Basing: | Sea |
Details
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (Aegis BMD) will provide an efficient and highly mobile sea-based defense against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in their midcourse phase.
The system will integrate the U.S. Navy’s existing fleet of Aegis cruisers (Ticonderoga class) and Aegis destroyers (Arleigh Burke class) with the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor currently under development. The system will allow the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to move its defense capabilities close to enemy launch sites, thus providing a critical “layer” to the broader Ballistic Missile Defense System.
At present, each Aegis cruiser and destroyer is outfitted with the Aegis Weapon System—the heart of which is the AN/SPY-1 radar system. AN/SPY-1 sends out beams of electromagnetic energy in all directions, thus allowing Aegis ships to track up to 100 targets simultaneously, while still retaining the ability to counter other air, surface, and submarine threats. AN/SPY-1 will be able to detect ballistic missiles as they rise above the horizon.
Once a hostile missile has been detected, Aegis BMD will launch its Standard Missile-3 interceptor from its MK41 Vertical Launching System (currently deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers). An evolution of the SM-2 Block IV interceptor, the SM-3 is a hit-to-kill missile comprised of a three-stage booster with a kill vehicle. As the SM-3 burns through its three stages, its GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System will set it on an intercept trajectory with the hostile missile. SM-3 will also receive target updates from the Aegis destroyer.
Once close enough to the ballistic missile, the SM-3 will fire its kill vehicle, the Kinetic Warhead (KW), from its nosecone. The KW will immediately begin to search for its target. It will acquire the ballistic missile using a high-resolution seeker, and maintain an accurate trajectory using its internal navigational system. As it closes on its target, the KW will identify the missile’s payload, and shift its aimpoint to ensure a lethal hit. When the KW finally slams into the enemy warhead, the kinetic energy of the high velocity impact will ensure complete destruction of the threat.
Since 1999, MDA has conducted five SM-3 flight tests. Four have been successful. The most recent test was on December 11, 2003, when a SM-3 from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie tracked, targeted, and destroyed a short-range target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Impact occurred at an altitude of 137 kilometers and a closing speed of approximately 3.7 kilometers per second. The entire operation, from detection to destruction, took four minutes.
President George W. Bush recently called on MDA to deploy a preliminary defense shield—including sea-based assets. In September 2004, the Navy will deploy an Aegis destroyer in the Sea of Japan capable of detecting and tracking missile launches from North Korea and China. In the event of a hostile launch, the destroyer will be able to transmit data to ten ground-based interceptors located in Fort Greely in Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (also scheduled for deployment in September 2004).
In 2005, the first fully operational Aegis BMD system will be deployed on an Aegis destroyer. MDA will conduct rigorous tests, using this initial deployment to integrate the AN/SPY-1 with SM-3 and improve the accuracy of the interceptor. In 2006, the Navy will deploy nine Aegis ships outfitted with SM-3 missiles and configured to carry out ballistic missile defense operations from almost anywhere in the world.
During this initial deployment phase, Aegis BMD will provide a cost effective means of countering emerging threats from rogue nations and terrorists. The United States has already invested $50 billion in its cruisers and destroyers alone, and the additional cost of outfitting these ships with SM-3s is relatively small compared with that of developing new air-based, land-based, and space-based systems. Although the Navy will eventually need more ships over time to handle its regular duties, in the interim Aegis BMD will serve as an excellent stopgap measure.
MDA’s long-term goal is to transform Aegis BMD into a comprehensive missile defense system capable of destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), possibly in their boost phase. As MDA improves its layered missile defense system, Aegis BMD will be able to integrate its tracking system with other new BMD tracking systems such as Space Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) satellites, the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS), or the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX). Although many consider the SM-3 too slow to intercept ICBMs, some believe that these enhanced detection and tracking capabilities will allow Aegis BMD to launch its interceptors earlier, thus allowing the SM-3s to reach long-range targets.
MDA and the Navy are also considering the development of a larger and faster interceptor missile.
Sources
Arms Control Association.
England, Gordon R. Remarks at the National Missile Defense Conference. Ronald Reagan Center, Washington, D.C., 22 March 2004.
Erwin, Sandra I. “Navy Prepares to Put Aegis Ships ‘On Alert.’” National Defense Magazine, March 2004.
GlobalSecurity.org.
Missile Defense Agency.
Raytheon Company.
Selinger, Marc. “Aegis on Tract for 2004 Missile Defense, Company Says.” Aerospace Daily, 13 January 2004.
U.S. Department of Defense. “Aegis Miss Test Successful.” Press Release 938-03, 11 December 2003.
German Frigates to Acquire Some Missile Defense Capability
The German Navy plans to develop a theater ballistic missile defense role for its Sachsen-class (F-124) anti-air warfare frigates, report Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. Rear Admiral Hubertus von Puttkamer, defense attaché at the German Embassy in the U.S., recently described the plans at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space symposium in Washington, DC. According to von Puttkamer, the German frigates already have the basic components necessary for such a system: Mk-41 vertical launchers, which could take Standard Missile-3 interceptor missiles, and the Thales SMART-L advanced radar system.
Standard Missile-3 interceptors are currently being developed by the U.S. and Japan for use on Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers.
» More stories on: Allies, Sea-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Andrew on Chinese Missile and Defensive Buildup
Martin Andrew of the Jamestown Foundation argues that ballistic missile defense in Asia is reducing China’s strategic deterrence. As China deploys its theater-range missiles, other military powers in the region are investing in BMD systems, such as sea-based Aegis systems and ground-based THAAD systems. These new systems will be able to intercept Chinese missiles over Chinese airspace, thus putting China in what Andrew terms a “strategic quandary.” An excerpt:
BMD systems are being deployed in Northeast Asia because of the build-up in Chinese and North Korean ballistic missiles. Yet if it were to negotiate the removal of its ballistic missiles facing Taiwan it loses its key leverage over Taiwan—with Japan and South Korea still keeping their BMD systems in the face of North Korea’s arsenal. Yet by sustaining—and adding to—missile forces in Fujian, Beijing runs the risk of negating its strategic deterrence. If the Chinese leadership follows its doctrine of active defense and believed its nuclear deterrence was becoming neutralized or under threat, it could conceivably launch strikes against Taiwan and Japanese and U.S. ballistic defense missile forces, certainly leading to retaliatory economic and military action. With the acceleration of Chinese ballistic missile forces opposite Taiwan, this is becoming a matter of concern on both sides of the Asia-Pacific.
» More stories on: Analysis, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
U.S.-Japan SM-3 Interceptor Test Successful, Using Innovative Japanese Nosecone
The U.S. and Japan successfully test-launched a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) today from the Aegis-equipped cruiser USS Lake Erie near Hawaii. The SM-3 was equipped with an experimental nosecone, which is being jointly developed by the Missile Defense Agency and the Japanese Defense Agency.
The demonstration also tested prototypes for the rocket motor, but the primary test was of an innovative “clamshell” nosecone, designed by Japan to more quickly release the interceptor’s kill vehicle. In the standard configuration for previous tests, the SM-3 missile must maneuver to eject the barrel-shaped kill vehicle—a process known as “pitch and ditch.” The newer nosecone eliminates the need for such maneuvers, which in turn means the kinetic kill vehicle can collide with and destroy its target more quickly. The flight test did not involve an attempted intercept of a target missile, but simulated target data was instead fed into the computers of Aegis weapon system. Instead of a kill vehicle aboard the SM-3, its nosecone instead contained a camera and instruments to register temperature and shock readings during the flight. In today’s test, the nosecone was deployed at about 88 kilometers above the Pacific Ocean and 96 km northwest of the island of Kauai.
Japan has already decided to procure the SM-3 and the Aegis defense system for several of its Kongo class destroyers, as well as purchasing a number of Patriot (PAC-3) interceptors, and having received a license to produce others. Japan’s innovation in missile defense technologies is a further sign of growing international support for ballistic missile defense.
» MDA Photos of SM-3 interceptor launch
» More stories on: Allies, Japan, Testing - American, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Aegis Cruiser Shiloh to be Based Near Japan in 2006
The U.S. Navy will deploy its Aegis cruiser Shiloh to Japan later this year, reports Kyodo. According to Admiral Gary Roughead, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 9,600-ton Shiloh will replace a similar ship already stationed in Japan, and will be armed with Standard Missile-3 interceptors. The move falls in line with the Defense Department’s plan for a greater military presence in the Pacific, outlined in its Quadrennial Defense Review issued earlier this month. In the QDR, the Pentagon singled out China as having the “greatest potential” to compete with the United States militarily, while keeping its eye on North Korea’s threat of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism in Southeast Asia.
» More stories on: Deployment, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Dinerman on Missile Defense Needs for 2006
Taylor Dinerman, writing for TheSpaceReview.com, contends that ballistic missile defense is necessary now more than ever, in light of the escalating world conflict with Iran. Dinerman points out that if the pronouncements of Iran’s leaders are any indication, they will be depending on their ballistic missiles to deliver the nuclear weapons they hope to build. If or when Iran decides to use such weapons, the first thing it would likely do is launch strikes against Israel and U.S. regional targets, perhaps followed by attacks on U.S. allies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Although the U.S. maintains surveillance satellites are capable of locating part of Iran’s missile force, Dinerman stresses that “it takes active weapons to either destroy a missile on the ground or after it has taken off.” Yet “little has been said about the potential for missile defense to blunt [the Iranian threat], or to make it easier for the U.S. launch an attack.” If, as so many western statesmen say, Iran’s nuclear weapons program is unacceptable, “then doing something about it is going to involve more than just diplomacy.”
Dinerman recommends that the U.S. should redeploy its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors that performed well against Iraq’s short-range Scud missiles during the 2003 war, positioning them to defend high value regional targets. The PAC-3 units should be joined by Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers armed with Standard Missile-2 and SM-3 interceptors. Both the PAC-3 and Aegis should be integrated with Israel’s Arrow system, which is operational and has proven itself in recent tests.
» More stories on: Analysis, Iran
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japan to Buy 36 SM-3 Interceptors
Japan plans to purchase 36 sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors from the U.S. between 2007 and 2010 for deployment on Aegis-equipped destroyers. According to Japanese government sources quoted by Kyodo, Japan will buy approximately nine SM-3 interceptors a year during this period, although specific details have yet to be ironed out. Japan’s Defense Agency hopes to complete the deployment of its first SM-3 interceptors on the destroyer Kongo by the end of 2007, followed by deployment on three other warships: the Chokai, the Myoko, and the Kirishima. Japan will also consider installing the missile defense system on two new destroyers that are being built in Nagasaki.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Capabilities of Japanese Ship-Based Defenses
The U.S. and Japan are moving forward on the joint Aegis ship-based missile defense program, reports Defense Daily. The Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct a test of the Standard Missile-3 in March 2006, which could accelerate development of the missile. The SM-3, the interceptor for the ship-based Aegis defense system, features a two-color seeker, advanced signal processing, and a new divert and attitude control system. As noted by Rear Admiral Brad Hicks, commander and program director, the SM-3 will significantly increase the area a ship can defend and increase the kill probability against a larger threat. At present, Japan has committed to deploy SM-3 interceptors on one destroyer and three other ships.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan To Cover One Third of Cost
Japan will shoulder between one third and one half of the cost of building a joint missile defense shield with the U.S. According to officials inside Japan’s Defense Agency, Tokyo and Washington are still negotiating exactly how much each country will cover, although Japan expects to shoulder at least $1 billion of the estimated $3 billion total cost. A central element of the joint missile defense shield is the sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptor, which will be deployed on Aegis destroyers to defend Japan from ballistic missile attack.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Aegis Test Successful: Marks First Attempt Against More Advanced Separating Target
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy today successfully conducted a significant test of the Aegis missile defense system. The test involved for the first time a “separating” target, meaning that the target warhead separated from its booster. Previous tests were against unitary (non-separating) targets representative of “SCUD”-type ballistic missiles. A separating missile requires the system to discriminate between targets, as well as presenting a smaller and faster target. “This test is very important and I’ll go as far as to say historical,” said Rear Adm. Kathleen K. Paige, program director of the sea-based missile defense project. “It verifies ballistic missile defense is real, that it is available today operationally at sea.” The Associated Press notes that senior representatives from the navies of Australia, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain watched the test with Paige on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
As reported by the MDA press release, a medium-range separating target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The USS Lake Erie, outfitted with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense 3.0 Weapon System, detected and tracked the target. The USS Lake Erie launched the SM-3 interceptor some four minutes later. Six minutes after launch the interceptor successfully destroyed the target warhead more than 100 miles in space above the Pacific Ocean and 375 miles northwest of Kauai.
The test, designated as Flight Test Maritime 04-2 (FTM 04-2), was the seventh such test of the Aegis ship-based system, six of which have now been successful. The MDA reportedly plans three more sea-based tests next year.
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan to Design Interceptor Nose Cone
Demonstrating both cooperation with the U.S. and ambitions to pursue missile defenses of its own, Japan will partner with the U.S. to design a nose cone for a ballistic missile interceptor, Kyodo reports, citing close sources. The interceptor at issue is an upgraded version of the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) which is part of the Aegis sea-based defense system, in which Japan and other countries are quite interested. An agreement between the two countries specifying the cooperation is said to be expected soon, possibly by the end of the year. The Japanese technology would subsequently be tested by the U.S. in a joint flight test from Hawaii.
» August 25, 2005: Japan Times: Japan expected to produce four components for new SM-3
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
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