8.4 Microwave Weapons for Atmospheric and Space Applications
783
proton generator can be fueled by any substance that is turned into plasma before its
use.
Just two hundred milligrams of any substance contains energy equivalent to 20
kilotons of TNT equivalent. Theoretically, the power of beam weapons based on the
APD reaction energy is unlimited. It can be supposed that in case of implementation
of the proton idea, the thermonuclear weapons themselves will be the first to change,
and then the power source will emerge. Potentially, protonic acceleration weapons
can turn into planetary-scale space weapons.
Space acceleration weapons with traditional power sources are currently in the
concept development stage. Its possible passing into service is predicted in 2020.
It can be used to disrupt the stability of the orbital space groups of the enemy,
defeat single ballistic missiles in the transatmospheric segment without triggering
the equipment of nuclear detonation, and destroy other means of aerospace attack
and reconnaissance.
8.4.5 Microwave Complexes for Countering
Precision-Guided Munitions
Precision-guided munitions (PGM) belong to the class of conventional (non-nuclear)
weapons, which are capable of selective destruction of a target with a probability of
at least 0.7 [16, 17].
PGM usually include: means of reconnaissance, aiming and control, delivery
vehicles and weapons. Thus, PGM are essentially a complex of weapons, each part of
which performs its own functions and interacts with the others in real time. Means of
reconnaissance, aiming and control carry out search, preliminary analysis, acquisition
for automatic following of targets and preparation for the launch of weapons. Delivery
vehicles transport the means of destruction directly in the launching area. Means of
destruction are used for homing and destruction of a target [18].
The experience of combat operations using various PGM demonstrates high effectiveness of these weapons. For example, in order to increase the accuracy of bombing
during the Vietnam War of 1965–1973, the US military used guided bomb units
(GBU) equipped with optical-electronic (laser and television) homing heads for the
first time. The use of guided bomb units allowed the American command to reduce
the composition of the strike aviation groups in half. Further military conflicts were
characterized by a significant increase in the quantities of used PGM. During the 1991
conflict in the Persian Gulf between the Multinational Force and Iraq, about 16,000
precision-guided munitions were the first to be used; during the military operation
of the NATO Armed Forces against Yugoslavia, about 27,000 were used in a few
months. They included guided bomb units and guided air rockets of the air-to-surface
class with semi-active laser homing system. PGM were used to attack military and
industrial objects, missile defense objects, command points, tanks, military vehicles,
etc.
783
proton generator can be fueled by any substance that is turned into plasma before its
use.
Just two hundred milligrams of any substance contains energy equivalent to 20
kilotons of TNT equivalent. Theoretically, the power of beam weapons based on the
APD reaction energy is unlimited. It can be supposed that in case of implementation
of the proton idea, the thermonuclear weapons themselves will be the first to change,
and then the power source will emerge. Potentially, protonic acceleration weapons
can turn into planetary-scale space weapons.
Space acceleration weapons with traditional power sources are currently in the
concept development stage. Its possible passing into service is predicted in 2020.
It can be used to disrupt the stability of the orbital space groups of the enemy,
defeat single ballistic missiles in the transatmospheric segment without triggering
the equipment of nuclear detonation, and destroy other means of aerospace attack
and reconnaissance.
8.4.5 Microwave Complexes for Countering
Precision-Guided Munitions
Precision-guided munitions (PGM) belong to the class of conventional (non-nuclear)
weapons, which are capable of selective destruction of a target with a probability of
at least 0.7 [16, 17].
PGM usually include: means of reconnaissance, aiming and control, delivery
vehicles and weapons. Thus, PGM are essentially a complex of weapons, each part of
which performs its own functions and interacts with the others in real time. Means of
reconnaissance, aiming and control carry out search, preliminary analysis, acquisition
for automatic following of targets and preparation for the launch of weapons. Delivery
vehicles transport the means of destruction directly in the launching area. Means of
destruction are used for homing and destruction of a target [18].
The experience of combat operations using various PGM demonstrates high effectiveness of these weapons. For example, in order to increase the accuracy of bombing
during the Vietnam War of 1965–1973, the US military used guided bomb units
(GBU) equipped with optical-electronic (laser and television) homing heads for the
first time. The use of guided bomb units allowed the American command to reduce
the composition of the strike aviation groups in half. Further military conflicts were
characterized by a significant increase in the quantities of used PGM. During the 1991
conflict in the Persian Gulf between the Multinational Force and Iraq, about 16,000
precision-guided munitions were the first to be used; during the military operation
of the NATO Armed Forces against Yugoslavia, about 27,000 were used in a few
months. They included guided bomb units and guided air rockets of the air-to-surface
class with semi-active laser homing system. PGM were used to attack military and
industrial objects, missile defense objects, command points, tanks, military vehicles,
etc.