The missile defense system of the Central industrial region ready to meet new challenges USA
At the end of November, a new missile defense system was successfully tested at the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan, which will soon take its place in the missile defense system of Moscow and the central industrial district. This is not the first test of a missile with unique ICBM interception capabilities. In the course of all previous tests, including the last launch, air targets were hit and the specified technical characteristics were confirmed.
We are talking about the 53T6M missile, which will be used in the promising A-235 "Nudol" missile defense system. It is a modification of the 53T6 short-range intercept missile, which is currently used in the current A-135 Amur missile defense system, having characteristics that are unattainable for any of the world's anti-missiles. 53T6 withstands longitudinal overloads of 210 G, transverse – 90 G. The flight speed is approaching six kilometers per second. the designers had to implement such exorbitant reloading capabilities due to the fact that the maximum range and intercept height of the missile are limited to 100 and 30 kilometers, respectively. So 53T6M should surpass these seemingly unattainable characteristics.
And on the way another missile for the Nudol missile defense system-long-range interception. It should replace the 51T6 rocket. Its zone of destruction in height is from 70 to 670 kilometers, in range-from 130 to 850 kilometers. There is information that the new two-stage missile will have a maximum intercept height of 750 kilometers, and a range of 1500 kilometers.
Two PRO concepts
The development of the first missile defense system in the Soviet Union began in the late 50s. in 1971, the a-35 system was adopted, the elements of which were placed in the moscow region. it included mine-based a-350 anti-missiles and a radar network. Due to the fact that the targeting accuracy was low, the anti-missiles were equipped with nuclear warheads with a capacity of two megatons. the explosion occurred outside the atmosphere, so there should have been no tangible damage to the protected area.
Soon the warhead was replaced with a 20-kiloton warhead, which created a powerful neutron flux when detonated. This was enough to make the warhead in the enemy missile fall into disrepair.
The United States began building its missile defense system in the early 70s, when the Law on missile Defense was already in force, requiring the deployment of the system in only one region of the country and the use of no more than a hundred anti-missiles. If the Soviet Union defended Moscow and the Central Industrial Region (from Bryansk to Kostroma), then the United States-the Grand Forks air base in North Dakota, where the most powerful and accurate ICBMs "Minuteman"were concentrated at that time. The American system, called Safeguard, began operating in 1975.
However, a year later, the concept of a nuclear missile deterrent complex was radically revised in the United States. The emphasis was placed on submarine-based ICBMs, which does not require the protection of nuclear submarines from a disarming nuclear strike. In this connection, the missile defense system in North Dakota has lost its relevance. In 1976, it was mothballed, and after a while it was dismantled.
The A-35 system was intermediate between the complete absence of missile defense and reliable protection against a disarming strike, in which a limited number of enemy ICBMs take part. Work on the design and development of technical means for the A-135 "Amur" system began even before the A-35 was put on combat duty.
The main developers were NGO "Vympel" and Research Institute of Radio Engineering, as well as KB "Novator". Anatoly Basistov was appointed General Designer. This was not a modernization of the A-35,but the creation of a new system. A-135 was built in the Moscow region in the 70-80s in parallel with the working A-35, all the equipment of which was subsequently dismantled.
The A-135 system, which was put on combat duty in 1995, included:
- Long-range target detection and tracking radar "Don-2N»;
- two types of mine-based anti-missiles: short-range and long-range interception, which were mentioned above;
- seven and firing systems;;
- command and computing center based on the powerful at that time computer "Elbrus-2".
The Don-2N radar station is a grandiose station in size, which is a truncated four-sided pyramid with a side at the base equal to 144 meters, height-35 meters. On the side faces are four active phased array antennas, including hundreds of thousands of receiving and transmitting modules.
During the construction of the station, 30 thousand tons of metal, 50 thousand tons of concrete, and 20 thousand kilometers of cable were used. About 20 thousand military builders took part in the construction.
The result is a centimeter-wave radar with unique characteristics, which, however, as a result of several upgrades, are now significantly improved. The maximum height of object detection is 40 thousand kilometers, the range of detection and tracking of ICBM warheads is 3700 kilomet-
moat. The error of tracking the target at a distance of 10 meters, at angular coordinates-0.6 arc minutes. The pulsed radiated power is 250 megawatts. up to 100 targets are tracked simultaneously.
In 1996, the Don-2N proved its superiority over the best radars in the United States during the ODERACS experiment. It was conducted to determine the ability of Russian and American radars to detect elements of small space debris. why the shuttle "sowed" in orbit balls with a diameter of 5, 10 and 15 centimeters. And only "Don-2N" was able to detect five-centimeter balls and build a trajectory of their movement at a distance of up to 1500 kilometers.
The A-135 system, as mentioned above, received new missiles with unique characteristics. However, the data given in the prospectuses for "Amur", in reality, may be even higher. After the end of the state tests of the A-135, General Designer Anatoly Bassistov said literally the following: "the system showed significant reserves in all parameters. high-speed 53t6 anti-missile missiles can defeat ballistic targets at ranges 2.5 times greater and at altitudes three times greater than we have now certified them. the system is ready to perform tasks and defeat low-orbit satellites, and other combat tasks." That is, the range of the "short anti-missile" can reach 250 kilometers, and the intercept height-90 kilometers.
In the Amur anti-missile system, the warhead was replaced with a new one – with a capacity of 10 kilotons, which releases a stream of neutrons when detonated.
"Nudol" will be mobile
The transition from the A-135 "Amur" system to the A-235 should take place step by step, without disrupting the operation of the "Amur". Actually, this process began long ago. For almost 10 years, the Don-2N radar has been being modernized, in the process of which engineers and programmers are improving the ability to detect ballistic targets and point anti-missiles at them. During this time, the radar range has significantly increased with a minimal increase in power consumption, and the resolution of the active phased array has doubled. This was achieved through the introduction of new, more advanced algorithms for processing information taken from the antenna. An important role was played by the installation of a new supercomputer "Elbrus-3M" with increased performance, which uses a new element base.
Two anti-missiles, which were discussed above, not only have improved characteristics, but they are located not in the mines, but on wheeled chassis. That is, they are as mobile as the Iskander-M OTRK or the Yars ICBM. This not only increases the stealth of anti-missiles, but also increases the territorial flexibility of the missile defense system. That is, anti-missiles are able to shift if necessary to change the geography of the protected region. Within certain limits, of course.
Based on considerations of secrecy, and this is its strategic level, not all the characteristics of the promising Nudol system and the properties of its components are disclosed. So, for example, it is not known exactly how the final phase of interception of enemy ICBMs will occur. There is information that the anti-missile warhead will be made "in the American manner." That is, it will become kinetic when the destruction of an ICBM occurs during a mechanical impact without the use of any explosive substance. This is how American anti-missile systems work.
US digs mines in Alaska
As you know, in 2001, the United States announced its withdrawal from the Treaty on the Limitation of Missile Defense Systems, and a year later the treaty ceased to operate. However, it is much less known that the United States began to violate it back in the 90s – the part of the treaty that states a ban not only on the deployment, but also on the design and testing of land-based, space-based and sea-based systems.
In 1999, Yeltsin scolded US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the fact that competent sources had learned about the development of the US global missile defense system. however, albright assured yeltsin of his commitment to the spirit and letter of this crucial treaty.
And in 2005, the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GBMD) system was launched in Alaska. it is quite clear that its creation took at least 10 years, or even all 15.
GBMD includes three stationary radars with a viewing range of two thousand kilometers, located in Alaska, California and Massachusetts. Later, a mobile radar appeared, capable of moving in the waters of the World Ocean on a platform with a displacement of 50 thousand tons.
centimeter-range radars not only detect icbms, but also point three-stage mine-based anti-missiles at them. Now there are 48 of them, of which 44 are in Alaska and four are in California. By the middle of the decade, it is planned to increase the number of anti-missiles to 78. In fact, these are space launch vehicles that launch a 64-kilogram kinetic maneuvering interceptor EKV (Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle) into space. It, equipped with an IR GOS, destroys ICBMs in the middle section of the trajectory due to mechanical impact.
At the beginning of the 90s, when the US national missile defense system was being conceived, the concept of kinetic interception was progressive. Since not only the opponents of the United States-the DPRK and the PRC, but also Russia had ICBMs, the principle of operation of which was laid down in the 60s. No matter how fast the rocket flew, no matter how high it rose in space, but its trajectory was absolutely clear to the missile defense systems. The missile is ballistic and, accordingly, it moved along an easily calculated trajectory. That is, it was clear at what point it was necessary to send an anti-missile so that it would accurately meet with an ICBM.
however, russian missile weapons have evolved greatly over the past time. There are tools that significantly increase the likelihood of missiles overcoming missile defense zones. These include false targets surrounded by a missile. Moreover, the EPR of these targets is the same as that of the rocket itself. The missile heads appeared, maneuvering at hypersonic speed. Effective means of electronic warfare have been introduced. As well as a flat trajectory and a short active flight section on which the engines operate. In the near future, the Sarmat ICBM should appear, which is capable of attacking the United States from the southern direction, where the States do not have missile defense. So kinetic interception is currently ineffective.
Iran and North Korea have nothing to do with it
Even earlier, in the 80s, the United States began to create a naval missile defense system "Aegis", equipped with RIM-161 SM-3 missiles. Currently, the system is integrated into 73 NATO ships, mainly the US Navy. And recently, after repeated trial and error, it managed to intercept an ICBM. But it was again a" simple – minded "launch vehicle with an ending resource, flying along a ballistic trajectory and not trying to" deceive " the interceptor.
europro, which is being created in romania and poland using aegis technologies, is also on the way.
It is quite clear that all these constructions are directed contrary to the demagogic statements of the United States not to protect against the missiles of the" rogue states " -the DPRK and Iran. The goal is obvious-to shift the balance between offensive and defensive nuclear missile capabilities in their favor. Therefore, Russia could not passively watch as Washington seeks to achieve a preponderance that can provoke hotheads in the Pentagon to launch a preemptive disarming strike, which allegedly may turn out to be unanswered.
therefore, to restore the balance in russia, they began to create a new generation of missile weapons, the probability of interception of which is scanty. It includes the Iskander-M OTRK, the Avangard hypersonic gliding unit mounted on an ICBM, the Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched missile, and the Bulava ICBM for submarines, whose power, although not so great, is more than compensated by the presence of an effective complex for overcoming missile defense systems. There are also promising tools: ICBM "Sarmat", nuclear-powered rocket "Petrel" and underwater drone "Poseidon".
in conclusion, it is necessary to say that all these developments in the west are interpreted as aggressive intentions of russia. In fact, this is a very natural defensive reaction to the destruction of the existing balance between the means of attack and defense by the United States. This is what indicates the aggressive intentions of the United States.
Vladimir Tuchkov
The newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier", published in issue # 48 (861) for December 15, 2020
