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Why is it, that an interceptor can have demonstrable capability against a target class that it was not originally designed for?
Because the answer is more complicated than a simple design goal.
I will try to explain in this thread. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/us-missile-defense-breakthrough-navy-ships-to-destroy-enemy-icbms
Because the answer is more complicated than a simple design goal.
I will try to explain in this thread. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/us-missile-defense-breakthrough-navy-ships-to-destroy-enemy-icbms
It is not the first time a weapon system is tested and demonstrated against new threat classes. As @nktpnd writes in this article, THAAD was tested against an IRBM class target a couple of years ago. That was a target class, it was not designed for. https://thediplomat.com/2017/07/thaad-system-successfully-completes-first-intercept-of-irbm-class-target/
To answer how this is done, you need to understand how an intercept really works.
Most importantly the intercept is the result of a full weapon system solving a complicated task and not just an interceptor flying to an intercept point and colliding with a reentry vehicle (RV)
Most importantly the intercept is the result of a full weapon system solving a complicated task and not just an interceptor flying to an intercept point and colliding with a reentry vehicle (RV)
The interceptor has a Velocity Window that must be met. The window consists of a "Min. Velocity" and a "Max. Velocity" that the intercept has the happen within.
Obviously the "Min." is set to ensure that the collision with the RV happens with sufficient force to achieve total destruction of the RV. The "Max." is set to ensure that the KW can maneuver etc in due time to make the collision happen.
Now, this is VERY important:
The velocity window is NOT the same as the velocity of the RV!
The velocity window is the relative closing velocity between the RV and KW. This makes all the difference when it comes to the capabilities of the interceptor vs. target classes.
The velocity window is NOT the same as the velocity of the RV!
The velocity window is the relative closing velocity between the RV and KW. This makes all the difference when it comes to the capabilities of the interceptor vs. target classes.
Obviously the relative closing velocity is heavily dependent on how the KW approaches the RV.
A head-on intercept will generate a much much higher relative velocity than a side-on intercept against the same target.
A head-on intercept will generate a much much higher relative velocity than a side-on intercept against the same target.
The shape of the interceptor's trajectory is generated by the weapon system, to ensure the interceptor is given optimal conditions for the intercept.
A good example can be seen in this picture of an Iron Dome intercept. The interceptor does not fly a straight line to the kill.
A good example can be seen in this picture of an Iron Dome intercept. The interceptor does not fly a straight line to the kill.
What this all means is that the interceptor itself "doesn't" care about what class the threat it, whether it be MRBM, IRBM or ICBM.
All it cares about is what relative closing velocity the trajectory generated by the weapon system puts it on.
All it cares about is what relative closing velocity the trajectory generated by the weapon system puts it on.
That is simply because a head-on intercept of an IRBM will most likely generate a much higher closing velocity than a side-on intercept of an ICBM.
But making sure the intercept happens as a side-on intercept is a task for the weapon system and not the interceptor.
But making sure the intercept happens as a side-on intercept is a task for the weapon system and not the interceptor.
As I always keep saying/tweeting:
Missile defense is a task for a full system-of-systems and not isolated sensors or interceptors and intercepting new threat classes etc. is a perfect example of this.
The end.
Missile defense is a task for a full system-of-systems and not isolated sensors or interceptors and intercepting new threat classes etc. is a perfect example of this.
The end.
