756
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
Since warheads are not usually separated all at once, SBS operators for a certain
time are theoretically able to neutralize the entire combat stock of the platform in a
single strike, although the attack in this case targets not the relatively vulnerable fuel
tanks of the missile, but better protected objects instead.
Critical features of the ballistic segment are its maximum length and the maximum
number of targets (true and false ones); each launched missile can carry ten warheads
and the same number of false targets that fully imitate the warhead when entering the
atmosphere, as well as over a hundred simplified false target to saturate the missile
defense system in this trajectory segment.
In this case, there is a dilemma: either to destroy all targets or to perform their
selection in advance, which is a fairly complicated technical task for both options.
Many studies performed by military specialists and published in late 1990s
suggested that in case of a large-scale nuclear missile conflict between the USA and
the USSR, the main exchange of strikes will happen through the Northern Space.
Even though these studies considered a possibility of building ground missile defence
systems (to combat warheads in the ballistic section of the trajectory), space-based
means were considered more effective. These should be the SBS located in polar (or
near-polar) orbits at an altitude of about 1000 km.
Depending on the SBS movement direction in the orbit it can either fly toward
the attacking warheads of the enemy (with a relative speed of about 10–20 km/s) or
slowly follow them (with a relative speed of 1–3 km/s).
Stations of the first type are better at destroying targets; stations of the second
type are better at selecting targets.
If a warhead (or a false target) is reached outside the atmosphere, the trajectory of
its movement can be easily calculated using high-performance computing complexes.
In the final segment of the trajectory, the number of attacking targets is reduced
by orders of magnitude (false targets burn in dense atmosphere), but the remaining
actual targets (warheads) pass through the final segment very quickly, within a single
minute. Moreover, modern warheads are able to manoeuvre in this segment, which
complicates tracking and using certain types of weapons.
In this case, all experts conclude that the most effective are extra-atmospheric
ground-based or air-based (space-based) weapon systems. However, it is necessary
to understand that their actions will be only local in nature (acting in this trajectory
segment only), while missiles in the active and ballistic segments of the trajectory
shall ensure global protection of the entire territory of the defending party.
Table 8.1 contains a systematized list of the features of separate segments of flight
trajectories of ballistic missiles noted above, which are important for understanding
of the specifics of building a modern missile defense system.
8.2.2.3 Analysis of the Main Types of Potential Air Defense Weapons
According to the analysis of multiple literary sources, military experts of the leading
world power considered the following main types of potential missile defense
weapons:
8 Modern Weapons: Possibilities and Limitations
Since warheads are not usually separated all at once, SBS operators for a certain
time are theoretically able to neutralize the entire combat stock of the platform in a
single strike, although the attack in this case targets not the relatively vulnerable fuel
tanks of the missile, but better protected objects instead.
Critical features of the ballistic segment are its maximum length and the maximum
number of targets (true and false ones); each launched missile can carry ten warheads
and the same number of false targets that fully imitate the warhead when entering the
atmosphere, as well as over a hundred simplified false target to saturate the missile
defense system in this trajectory segment.
In this case, there is a dilemma: either to destroy all targets or to perform their
selection in advance, which is a fairly complicated technical task for both options.
Many studies performed by military specialists and published in late 1990s
suggested that in case of a large-scale nuclear missile conflict between the USA and
the USSR, the main exchange of strikes will happen through the Northern Space.
Even though these studies considered a possibility of building ground missile defence
systems (to combat warheads in the ballistic section of the trajectory), space-based
means were considered more effective. These should be the SBS located in polar (or
near-polar) orbits at an altitude of about 1000 km.
Depending on the SBS movement direction in the orbit it can either fly toward
the attacking warheads of the enemy (with a relative speed of about 10–20 km/s) or
slowly follow them (with a relative speed of 1–3 km/s).
Stations of the first type are better at destroying targets; stations of the second
type are better at selecting targets.
If a warhead (or a false target) is reached outside the atmosphere, the trajectory of
its movement can be easily calculated using high-performance computing complexes.
In the final segment of the trajectory, the number of attacking targets is reduced
by orders of magnitude (false targets burn in dense atmosphere), but the remaining
actual targets (warheads) pass through the final segment very quickly, within a single
minute. Moreover, modern warheads are able to manoeuvre in this segment, which
complicates tracking and using certain types of weapons.
In this case, all experts conclude that the most effective are extra-atmospheric
ground-based or air-based (space-based) weapon systems. However, it is necessary
to understand that their actions will be only local in nature (acting in this trajectory
segment only), while missiles in the active and ballistic segments of the trajectory
shall ensure global protection of the entire territory of the defending party.
Table 8.1 contains a systematized list of the features of separate segments of flight
trajectories of ballistic missiles noted above, which are important for understanding
of the specifics of building a modern missile defense system.
8.2.2.3 Analysis of the Main Types of Potential Air Defense Weapons
According to the analysis of multiple literary sources, military experts of the leading
world power considered the following main types of potential missile defense
weapons: