Since the implementation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) in the 1980s, the U.S. has developed a variety of KKVs for missile defense systems. Since the implementation of the "Strategic Defense Initiative" (SDI) in the 1980s, the United States for missile defense system developed a variety of KKVs, including ground-based intermediate defense system ground-based interceptors (GBI), "Aegis" missile defense system "Standard" 3 (SM-3) sea-based interceptors, terminal high altitude area defense system (THAAD) Interceptors, Patriot 3 (PAC-3) interceptors, and the newly developed mobile deployable kinetic energy interceptors (KEI). Currently, the GBI, SM-3, PAC-3 and THAAD interceptors are in the deployment phase.
I, ground-based interceptors
Ground-based interceptors (GBI) is the ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) system "weapon" part, is an advanced kinetic kill defense weapon, its mission is to intercept incoming ballistic missile warheads outside the Earth's atmosphere and use the "direct collision" technology to kill them. Direct collision" technology to destroy them, i.e., to intercept incoming missiles outside the atmosphere (at an altitude of 100km or more). During the flight of the GBI, the Combat Management Charge System (CMCS) sends information through the In-Flight Interceptor Communication System (IFICS), which corrects the position of the incoming ballistic missile so that the GBI's on-board seeker system can identify the designated target and conduct a homing mission.
The GBI is available in two versions, a three-stage kinetic interceptor deployed on U.S. soil and a two-stage kinetic interceptor planned for deployment in Europe.
1. The three-stage GBI for deployment in the continental United States
The GBI for deployment in the continental United States consists of an Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV, which destroys the warhead by collision), three-stage solid booster rockets, and the ground command and launch equipment needed to launch the interceptor. The EKVs designed by Boeing North America and Hughes (now merged into Raytheon) were tested in 1997 and 1998, respectively.In November 1998, Raytheon's EKV was selected.However, Boeing North America continued to develop the EKV as the primary option.The EKV itself is a high-speed vehicle capable of autonomous operations and consists of infrared guides, guidance units, an attitude and orbit control propulsion system, and communications equipment. system, attitude and rail control propulsion system, and communications equipment. Raytheon's EKV weighs 64kg, is about 1.4m long and 0.6m in diameter, and is guided by an inertial measurement device that relies on a laser detonation system to execute various commands, such as opening valves and igniting igniters in the boost section of an interceptor. Its guidance head employs a three-mirror, non-dispersive telescope system that gathers imaging onto an optical test bed assembly consisting of two beam splitters and three 256 x 256 focal plane arrays. To ensure redundancy, each focal plane array has its own separate electronics and signal processing channels, but data from all three channels will be pooled into a single data processor. It is claimed that when light enters the first beam splitter, some of the energy is reflected back to a silicon CCD focal plane array and some of the light passes through that splitter. On passing through the second beam separator, some of the energy is reflected back to a mercury cadmium telluride focal plane array. The remaining light continues on and finally hits a second HgCdTe focal array. In this way, the light passes through each light-reflecting component with its wavelength becoming shorter in turn, the object is imaged by three different detectors, and each detector is looking at the same object at the same time, just with a different bandwidth. There are a number of advantages to using this scheme: first, it eliminates the problems associated with imaging an object by different bands at different times; second, the use of three separate focal arrays allows the mission to continue if one or two of the focal arrays fail; and third, the optical part of such a system does not need to be cooled, with the mercury cadmium telluride (CdTe) focal arrays operating at a temperature of about 70 K.
About the booster rockets, the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has considered a variety of options, including the development of new booster rockets and improve the existing "Minuteman" missile booster rockets, etc. In August 1998, the then Ballistic Missile Defense Agency (BMDO) decided to commercial booster rockets for the GBI booster rocket (BV) program. Its first-stage engine was to be Alliant's GEM-40VN solid-state engine (initially used in the Deltas 2 rocket), and the second- and third-stage engines were to be Cowden's Orbus 1A engines. However, the program was not progressing well, and by the time of flight testing in August 2001, it was already 18 months behind schedule.MDA eventually adjusted its procurement strategy, deciding that Orbital Sciences would develop a new booster rocket (named OSC Lite), while Loma would take over the work on Boeing's commercial booster rocket (re-designated BV+). Orbital Sciences' booster rocket is a three-stage rocket system, with many of its components coming from the company's Pegasus, Taurus and Man-Monster rockets.
Orbital Sciences has already conducted two successful flight tests of the booster rocket, and on Feb. 7, 2003, the first flight test was successfully completed. The booster rocket was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, flying at an altitude of 1,800km and a distance of 5,600km from the launch site. Based on a preliminary analysis of the data collected after the flight test, all of the booster rocket's major objectives were achieved, including testing the design and flight characteristics of the interceptor, collecting flight data from on-board equipment, and confirming the performance specifications that the propulsion system was expected to achieve. On August 16, 2003, Orbital Sciences Corporation successfully completed its second booster rocket launch, which was designed to test the design and flight characteristics of the rocket and to confirm the performance of the guidance, control and propulsion systems.
The first flight test of Loma's booster rocket was delayed until January 2004. The company's development of booster rockets has been plagued by technical problems and industrial accidents, lagging far behind the development of Orbital Sciences' booster rockets. However, under the current strategy, MDA supports the development of booster rockets by the two companies, thereby reducing the risk to the missile defense program.
As a result, the GMD system flight tests conducted since 2004, as well as the ground-based interceptors deployed, have utilized Orbital Sciences-developed boosters, whereas previous flight tests utilized a surrogate two-stage booster rocket. As of 2008, the United States has deployed 24 kinetic interceptors, 21 in Alaska and 3 at Beale Air Force Base, California. The number of GBIs deployed on U.S. soil is expected to reach about 44 by about 2013.
2. Two Tiers of GBI Planned for Deployment in Europe
The United States has now decided to deploy missile defenses in Europe, including the establishment of an interceptor position in Poland, with 10 long-range, ground-based interceptors to be deployed between 2011 and 2013; and the improved deployment of a ground-based X-band radar prototype (GBR-P), now in use at the Pacific Test Range, in the Czech Republic.
The GBI deployed in Europe is essentially the same as the GBI deployed on U.S. soil, consisting of a booster rocket and an EKV; however, the difference is that the U.S. soil-deployed GBI utilizes a three-stage booster rocket, whereas the GBI deployed in Europe utilizes a two-stage booster rocket. The maximum speed of the two-stage GBI is slightly lower than that of the three-stage GBI, about 7km/s, with an intercept altitude of 200km. MDA claims that this interceptor is better suited to the distance and time requirements of engagement in Europe. The diameter and length of the silo is much smaller than those used for offensive missiles such as the Minuteman 3.
Two, "standard" 3 sea-based interceptors
"Standard" 3 (SM-3) missile is "Aegis" sea-based missile defense system using the interceptor. The missile consists of the SM-3 Block. The bomb includes SM-3 Block 0 basic type, SM-3 Block 1 type series (1 type, 1A type, 1B type) and Block 2 type series (2 type and 2A type). Currently, the U.S. has deployed a small number of SM-3 Block 1 interceptors and is working on the Block 1B as well as the Block 2 series.
1. SM-3 Block 1 series
The SM-3 Block 1 series of missiles (about 0.35m in diameter) have a shutdown speed of between 3 and 3.5km/s, and have the capability to intercept both short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles.
SM-3 Block 1 missiles are based on the two-stage SM-2 Block 4A missiles used for intra-atmospheric defense, modified into four-stage interceptor missiles for extra-atmospheric use.The SM-3 missiles' first and second stages use the same engines as those used in the SM-2 Block 4A missiles (the MK-72 booster and the MK-104 dual-thrust rocket motor), with the addition of a third-stage rocket motor, a new head cone, and a Light Exoatmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead. The design of the third stage rocket motor (TSRM) is based on technology developed by the USAF Phillips Laboratory's Advanced Solid Axial Stage (ASAS) program. To improve energy management flexibility, the TSRM now includes two independent propellant columns that fire twice on command. The two pulses work independently of each other and fire as commanded for maximum timing flexibility. The first pulse provides the third stage with a change-of-orbit maneuver, while the second pulse can be used to correct relative position errors, which are likely to increase during mid-flight. For shorter engagement distances, the second pulse may not be needed. The first pulse engine quench parameter and the second pulse engine ignition parameter are generated by the extra-atmospheric midcourse guidance algorithm calculations.
The TSRM is preceded by a modified guidance equipment segment (GS). Placing the guidance equipment segment on the third stage provides more space for kinetic warheads, and its primary roles include (1) electrical power equipment for long-range flight, (2) communications for the Aegis weapon system, (3) telemetry, (4) flight termination electronics, and (5) GPS-assisted inertial navigation (GAINS). GAINS is used to provide high guidance accuracy during the interceptor's mid-flight period, and GPS information, combined with radar correction data, can provide higher state accuracy for the interceptor. To ensure a high intercept success rate, the SM-3 missile can be used operationally even without GPS data.
The fourth stage of the interceptor is the LEAP kinetic warhead. The LEAP kinetic warhead is highly modular and compact, and has been tested in space against medium- and long-range ballistic missiles. In order to improve the system performance of the kinetic warhead, deployment capability and cost-effectiveness ratio, LEAP must be controlled in the 10kg level, generally between 6 to 18kg, with a catapult mechanism of LEAP for 16.7kg, length of about 0.56m, diameter of 0.254m. LEAP kinetic warhead is mainly composed of four parts: the guide head, the guidance equipment, the solid orbit attitude control system (SDACS) and the interface catapult mechanism, etc. The SDACS is composed of four parts: the guide head, the guidance equipment, the solid orbit attitude control system (SDACS), as well as the interface catapult mechanism. The SDACS consists of one main engine and two pulse engines. During the FM-5 flight test in June 2003, the main engine of the SDACS system operated (i.e., in sustained burn mode) causing the warhead to overheat, and as a result, the other two pulses (Pulse 1 and Pulse 2) cracked the steering ball. For this reason, the first five SM-3 Block 1 missiles deployed in 2004 featured only a sustained burn, disabling the two pulse burns. Improvements to the SDACS system are currently underway.
The kinetic warhead of the SM-3 Block 1 missile, which uses a monochromatic long-wave infrared (LWIR) guide and a solid SDACS propulsion system with target recognition capability, has successfully accomplished the task of intercepting target bombs in sea-based missile defense system flight tests.
The SM-3 Block 1A missile is not very different from the Block 1 missile, except that certain components have been improved on the basis of the Block 1. The Block 1A missile still adopts a monochrome guide head, and its kinetic warhead adopts an all-reflective optical system and an advanced signal processor.
Raytheon is also currently developing the SM-3 Block 1B, which includes an advanced dual-color infrared guide head, an advanced signal processor, and a Throttled-Direction Attitude Control System (TDACS).The TDACS is capable of dynamically adjusting the projectile's thrust and run time, and is likely to provide more thrust, making the system more capable of responding to different threats.
2. SM-3 Block 2 type series
The United States is also working with Japan*** to develop SM-3 Block 2 type and Block 2A type missiles (diameter of about 0.53m), the shutdown speed will be increased by 45% to 60% over the Block 1 type series of missiles to about 5 to 5.5km/s, with the ability to intercept ICBMs. Capability. The U.S.-Japanese development work is undertaken by Raytheon Company of the U.S. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc.**** of Japan. The main improvements of Block 2 are as follows:
● The second stage will adopt a 53cm diameter rocket motor;
● The kinetic warhead adopts a two-color guide, which provides a stronger recognition capability for the surprise defense device;
● The kinetic warhead signal processor is improved, and the field of view of the kinetic warhead is improved, which provides a better recognition capability for the surprise defense device;
● The kinetic warhead signal processor is improved, and the field of view of the kinetic warhead is improved. warhead signal processor, with an increased number of warheads recognized in the field of view;
● DACS with possible liquid DACS with extended solid fuel burn time or increased DACS length or a liquid/solid fuel hybrid system;
● A new clamshell-type head cone.
The SM-3 Block 2A, on the other hand, is based on the Block 2 missile, with a larger kinetic warhead than the Block 2 to improve the kinetic warhead's rail control capability.MDA plans to conduct rocket motor tests of the Block 2 interceptor in 2009, with the Block 2 missile deployed around 2013 and the Block 2A missile.
Three, THAAD interceptors
THAAD is a high-speed kinetic energy kill interceptor missile, by the solid rocket propulsion system, KKV and connect these two parts of the interstage section and other components. THAAD full bomb length of 6.17m, the maximum diameter of the bomb is 0.37m, the bomb weight of 660kg.
KKV is mainly by the capture and tracking of the target of the medium-wave infrared (MWIR), the guide head, guidance electronics and other equipment. The KKV mainly consists of a medium-wave infrared (MWIR) guide head for capturing and tracking the target, guidance electronics (including an electronic computer and inertial measurement device using a laser gyro), and an orbital attitude-control propulsion system for maneuvering flight. The entire interceptor (including the protective shield) is 2.325m long, 0.37m in diameter at the bottom, and weighs 40-60kg.
The KKV is housed in a double-cone structure: the front cone is made of stainless steel, with a rectangular non-cooled sapphire plate on it, which serves as a window for the guide head to observe the target; and the rear cone is made of composite material. To protect the guide head and its window, there is also a protective shield in front of the front cone, consisting of two clamshell-type protective panels that are jettisoned just before the guide head is about to capture the target. During flight in the atmosphere, the protective shield covers the head cone to minimize aerodynamic drag and protect the guide head window from aerodynamic heating.
The guide head design includes an all-reflective Korsch optics system and a gazing focal plane array.The THAAD interceptor used a platinum-silicide focal plane array for its infrared guide head for the first seven flight tests, and the array size was believed to be 256 x 256 elements. From the 8th test onwards, the infrared guides of the THAAD interceptors were changed to indium telluride focal plane arrays, most likely multi-colored focal plane arrays.
The KKV's trajectory and attitude control system provides attitude, roll and stabilization control, as well as trajectory change capability for the final intercept engagement. The orbit and attitude control system consists of separate oxidizer tanks, propellant tanks, pressurizer tanks, and orbit and attitude control engines. The rail control system consists of four engines and the attitude control system consists of six smaller engines (four pitch and roll control engines and two yaw control engines).
The integrated electronics package for guidance includes several computers with simplified commands to improve direct collision-kill guidance, while an inertial measurement unit using a ring laser gyro is used to measure and stabilize the platform's motion and serves as a measurement reference for the seeker head.
The THAAD interceptor is protected by an interceptor shipping case before launch. The shipping case is constructed of graphite epoxy to minimize weight. The shipping case is hermetically sealed to provide protection while the interceptor is stored or transported. The shipping case also functions as a launch tube and is fastened to a pallet containing 10 interceptors. The pallet of interceptors is then mounted on the launch vehicle. The interceptors are launched directly from the shipping case.
In January 2007, Loma was awarded a contract to produce THAAD, including 48 interceptors, six launch vehicles and two fire control and communications units, and in 2008 the first 24 interceptors were deployed. The U.S. Army plans to eventually procure more than 1,400 THAAD interceptors.
Four, maneuverable deployment of kinetic interceptors
GBI, SM-3, THAAD and PAC-3 interceptors are all kinetic interceptors. However, these interceptors are single-purpose and can only be used in their respective weapon platform systems. Most of the boosters of these interceptors are improved from the boosters of the original missile weapon systems, such as the boosters of SM-3 and PAC-3 are improved from the boosters of naval air missiles and surface-to-air missiles of the same name, respectively, and the early program of the GBI booster was also to adopt the Minuteman 3 missile's booster, which was later adjusted to The GBI booster was also based on the Minuteman 3 missile booster in its early program, but was later adapted to use the engines of commercial launch vehicles. The acceleration performance of these boosters is not high, and they have two main shortcomings: a single application platform and performance limitations. These shortcomings make it difficult to improve the efficiency and cost ratio of interceptors, and they also lack flexibility in operations.
Therefore, the U.S. has been considering the development of the next-generation maneuverable and deployable multi-purpose (for boost, ascent, and mid-range interception) kinetic energy interceptor (KEI) since 2002. The goal is to progressively enhance the multilayered intercept capability and robustness of the Integrated Missile Defense System (IMDS) through the progressive integration of a common booster and payload, the use of mobility and battle space engagement flexibility, and the achievement of a high cost/effectiveness ratio.These capabilities to be achieved by the KEI are very important objectives in the acquisition strategy of the Integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System (IBMDS).
In the KEI program, a common containerized, high-acceleration interceptor will be designed. the KEI consists of a mobile launcher, an interceptor, and a combat management system. A KEI company consists of five motorized launch vehicles (each armed with two interceptor missiles) and six high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (trucks carrying four S-band antennas each) carrying the combat management system. A KEI company can be deployed anywhere in the world within 24h using seven C-17 transport aircraft and can be operationally ready within 3h of deployment.
The KEI interceptor is about 11.8m long, with a diameter of 1.02m, weighing 10.44t, and is about twice the size of the SM-3.The KEI's killers consist of an automatic guidance system, the SM-3 missile's electronic system, and an orbital attitude control system developed for the GBI, etc. The KEI can accelerate to 6km/s in 60s, which is about twice as fast as the SM-3 Block 1 missile.
According to the original plan, the KEI was designed to be a new type of maneuverably deployable boost-paragraph/ascending-paragraph kinetic-energy interceptor as a backup to the airborne laser boost-paragraph interceptor system. But as the program has evolved, MDA has used the KEI booster as a general-purpose booster, integrating it with multi-purpose kill vehicles and advanced target-identification-capable payloads, such as the Submaster Interceptor MKV, to augment the capabilities of the GMD, Aegis, THAAD, and PAC-3, among others.
KEI program is currently progressing relatively well, successfully conducted the first and second stage engine static ignition test, preliminary verification of the two-stage engine applied to high acceleration, high speed, as well as the feasibility of high mobility capabilities of the missile program. In the future, a series of engine static ignition tests will be carried out successively, and the data obtained will be used to further optimize the design in preparation for the first booster flight test planned for 2009.
KEI can be deployed both land-based and sea-based. It is expected that the land-based KEI will have initial operational capability around 2014-2015, while the deployment time for the sea-based KEI has not yet been determined.
V. PAC-3 Interceptors
The PAC-3 missile consists of a first-stage solid booster rocket, guidance equipment, radar seeker head, attitude control and maneuvering control system and kill enhancer. The warhead and booster rocket do not separate in flight and remain as one unit.The PAC-3 missile's kill booster increases the effective diameter of the intercepted target. The device is located between the booster rocket and the guidance equipment segment, 127mm long, weighing 11.1kg. 24 pieces of 0.214kg fragments on the kill enhancer are distributed in two circles around the projectile body, forming two fragmentation rings centered on the projectile body. When the main charge inside the anti-personnel booster explodes, these fragments are released outward at a low radial velocity.
Six, the new kinetic energy interceptor - child mother interceptor
How to identify incoming warheads from the "threat cloud" (consisting of warheads, bombs and decoys) is currently one of the major challenges facing the mid-range defense system. The GBI and SM-3 missiles currently carry a single kinetic interceptor, and in the absence of an effective solution to the problem of identifying targets, multiple interceptors may be required to intercept a missile with a complex breaching mechanism. For this reason, MDA announced the Micro Kill Vehicle (MKV) program in 2002, that is, the use of miniaturization technology, so that a single interceptor to carry dozens of interceptors, using a "many-to-many" strategy to effectively make up for the shortcomings of the warhead identification, to reduce the need for pre-launch intelligence on incoming missiles and the need for the identification of missile defense systems. The need for pre-launch intelligence on incoming missiles and the need for missile defense systems to recognize them has been reduced.
During the Cold War, the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty signed by the U.S. and the Soviet Union in 1972 strictly limited the development of submarine killers for use in national missile defense. However, due to some loopholes in the treaty, the U.S. actually began research on related technologies very early. in the mid-1990s, the U.S. Navy cooperated with the then-Ballistic Missile Defense Agency (BMDA) to develop a micro-interceptor for theater missile defense systems - LEAP. in June 2002, the U.S. withdrew from the ABM Treaty. After the ABM Treaty, the MKV program was officially announced to the public.In 2004, Loma was awarded an eight-year contract to develop and validate the mini-interceptor, which called for the interceptor and mother module to be applicable to a wide range of existing as well as planned booster rockets. At the same time, the micro-interceptor program was officially renamed the Mother and Child Interceptor (MKV).
The MKV is small, lightweight and has low launch vehicle requirements. The new MKV concept was developed in response to the GMD target identification problem and could be used on the GBI, SM-3 and KEI in the future.The MKV program introduces a two-color guide head and an improved liquid-orbit attitude control system.MDA had estimated that the weight of a single interceptor would be in the range of 2 to 10 kg. It is now expected that each interceptor will weigh about 5kg, be 15-20cm in diameter and 25cm long, and be the size of a coffee can. The exact number of interceptors to be carried is classified, and if the GBI is used to carry them, there should be more than 10. Officials at MDA and Loma have been hinting that a single interceptor will be able to carry 24 interceptors or more. But if current estimates are accurate (i.e., 5 kg per interceptor), it appears that existing or planned booster rockets will be able to carry significantly fewer than 24 interceptors. Also, since the interceptors must have enough mass to allow for "collision kill" interception, the size of the interceptors cannot be reduced indefinitely.
The MKV concept is as follows: after launch, the interceptor is guided toward the target by missile defense system detectors, including sea-based X-band radar and space-based tracking and surveillance systems. After the mother module separates from the booster rocket, it detects the target using its own configured target identification device, assigns the interceptor the task of striking the target, and releases the interceptor. The long-range infrared detectors on the mother module detect, track and identify warheads and decoys. Each interceptor receives targeting information from the mother pod. Several interceptors may be assigned to each recognized warhead. Each interceptor is also guided by its own optical detectors (operating in the visible and infrared bands) towards the "threat cloud" to destroy all possible targets. Even if separated from the mother module, the interceptor will still be able to receive real-time target correction information from the mother module.
The MKV program is currently focused on developing the required miniaturization hardware. Interceptor miniaturization technology faces serious challenges, as does eliminating the heat generated by the interceptor's packaging components.
In 2005, the Interceptor Guide Head Critical Design Review (IDR), Guide Head Software Product Design Review (GSPDR), Imaging Stability Test (IST), Guide Head Software Critical Design Review (GHSCDR), and circuit boards for fabricating the guide head components were completed. in March 2006, LOMA completed the development of the first Explorer guide head, which was tested in the Hardware Tests were conducted in a circuit facility to simulate the vibration operating environment of the kill vehicle. In July 2006, Loma also conducted initial testing of the MKV interceptor orbital attitude control propulsion unit to validate the feasibility of an orbital attitude control system using a single-component liquid propellant for the MKV. The tests showed that the actual flight weight propulsion unit prototype and valve assemblies met the specified performance and life specifications.
The MKV is scheduled to undergo BMDS system-level flight tests on the mother capsule (CV) and the KV, etc. on the Pacific Test Bed, after completing the hardware circuit test, the killer vehicle (KV) suspension test, and the KV flight test. System flight tests are expected to begin between 2010 and 2011.
The technology of MKV may lead to the development of boost-segment interception technology and even space-based interception technology. However, some technical experts have questioned the MKV technology. They argue that MKV may be more effective against decoys, but offers little help against other types of surprise measures, such as by affecting the detection performance of optical detectors through simple tactics such as painting the surface of the warhead with color.