Breakthrough!: F-16 Smacks Down Ballistic Missile
Granted, it is somewhat limited, things like having to be within 100 miles of launch, and taking it out early, but nobody else on the planet can do what we can.
Here’s the story from AFP:
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A US F-16 fighter used an air-to-air missile to destroy a sounding rocket in its boost phase for the first time this week in a test of a new missile defense concept, US spokesmen said Tuesday.
The system — named the Net-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCDE) — breaks new ground in that it would arm fighter aircraft or drones with missiles fast enough to intercept a ballistic missile as it lifts into space.
The aircraft would have to get to within a 100 miles of the launch site to catch the ascending missile in the first two to three minutes after launch.
But it could be very useful in a short range combat situation against short and medium range missiles, said Rick Lehner, a spokesman for the US Missile Defense Agency.
The Pentagon has two other better known boost phase intercept systems under development — the Airborne Laser and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor — but those are still years away from being ready, he said.
“So it does give us an initial boost phase capability even though it is a much shorter range missile, and you have to be in the area of the missile launch to be effective,” Lehner said.
The test Monday at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico involved an F-16 fighter that fired two modified AIM-9X missile at an Orion sounding or research rocket.
The first destroyed the rocket and the second recorded the interception, the Pentagon’s missile defense agency said.
The missile seekers’ relayed images of the rocket at close range, demonstrating the capability to acquire and track the target, the Pentagon’s missile defense agency said.
“Although not unexpected, the subsequent intercept destroyed the target,” it said.
“A second AIM-9X launched during the test observed through its seeker the intercept of the target by the first and was also on a trajectory to intercept the target,” the agency said.
Besides special seekers, AIM-9X and AIM-20 AAMRAM are fitted with a new liquid propellant second stage to give it the burst of speed needed to catch a ballistic missile in its boost phase.
Lehner said the missiles were heavily instrumented during the test, but otherwise conditions were “pretty realistic.”
Raytheon Missile Systems, which developed the NCADE, said it “provides a revolutionary, low-cost approach to interceptor development and acquisition.”
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Smokin!
I’m not sure the world yet realizes that impact this will have on the world balance of power. When the ballistic missle delivery system is no longer a valid means to deliver a nuclear weapon, the only option left will be the suitcase.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:35 pmUnited States Air Force, always doing something amazing!
December 4th, 2007 at 6:37 pmThe neat thing about this: the good old boys from Persia won’t get away with the launch from a container ship of the coast anymore, their “I can hurt you any time” just took a neat new twist.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:02 pmThis is what makes AMERICA great; give us a little time to think about it and we will come up with an answer. LOLOLO
WolfPack
…and on existing platforms.
AIM-9x and AIM-20 AAMRAM!
Way to go!!!!
December 4th, 2007 at 8:31 pmThat’s the most surprising thing, DC… an AIM-9x? I had to read that again. This does have some very intriguing implications.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:28 amCridhe Saorsa,
Balance of Power. This is just a hint of weapons systems being developed by the USA. Most still very classified and some may never publicly be acknowledged. Our intelligence services are in dire straights so these weapons do little good. Carter and the Clintons have done quite a number on our capabilities.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:56 am