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EUROPE IS SAFE !!! NATO Military Missile Defense Mini Documentary

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• published: 14 Nov 2015
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Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception, and destruction of attacking missiles. Originally conceived as a defence against nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged non-nuclear tactical and theater missiles. The United States, Russia, China, India, Israel, and France have all developed such air defense systems.[1] In the United States, missile defense was originally the responsibility of the U.S. Army. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has developed maritime systems and command and control that will eventually be transferred to the Navy and Air Force for operation and sustainment. Missile defense categories[edit] India's Advanced Air Defense (AAD) endo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile Missile defense can be divided into categories based on various characteristics: type/range of missile intercepted, the trajectory phase where the intercept occurs, and whether intercepted inside or outside the Earth's atmosphere: Type/range of missile intercepted[edit] The types/ranges are strategic, theater and tactical. Each entails unique requirements for intercept, and a defensive system capable of intercepting one missile type frequently cannot intercept others; however there is sometimes overlap in capability. Strategic missile defense[edit] Targets long-range ICBMs, which travel at about 7 km/s (15,700 mph). Examples of currently active systems: Russian A-135 system which defends Moscow, and the U.S. Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system that defends the United States from missiles launched from Asia. Geographic range of strategic defense can be regional (Russian system) or national (U.S. system). Theater missile defense[edit] Targets medium-range missiles, which travel at about 3 km/s (6,700 mph) or less. In this context the term "theater" means the entire localized region for military operations, typically a radius of several hundred kilometers. Defense range of theater defensive systems is usually on this order. Examples of deployed or soon-to-be deployed theater missile defenses: Israeli Arrow missile, American THAAD and Russian S-400 (missile). Tactical missile defense[edit] Targets short-range tactical ballistic missiles, which usually travel at less than 1.5 km/s (3,400 mph). Tactical anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) have short ranges, typically 20–80 km (12–50 miles). Examples of currently-deployed tactical ABMs: American MIM-104 Patriot and Russian S-300V. Trajectory phase[edit] Ballistic missiles can be intercepted in three regions of their trajectory: boost phase, midcourse phase or terminal phase. Boost phase[edit] Intercepting the missile while its rocket motors are firing, usually over the launch territory (e.g., American aircraft-mounted laser weapon Boeing YAL-1 [program canceled]). Advantages Bright, hot rocket exhaust makes detection and targeting easier. Decoys cannot be used during boost phase. At this stage, the missile is full of flammable propellant, which makes it very vulnerable to explosive warheads. Disadvantages Difficult to geographically position interceptors to intercept missiles in boost phase (not always possible without flying over hostile territory). Short time for intercept (typically about 180 seconds). Mid-course phase[edit] Intercepting the missile in space after the rocket burns out (example: American Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), China mid-course anti-missile test, Israeli Arrow 3 missile). Advantages Extended decision/intercept time (the coast period through space before reentering the atmosphere can be several minutes, up to 20 minutes for an ICBM). Very large geographic defensive coverage; potentially continental. Disadvantages Requires large/heavy anti-ballistic missiles and sophisticated powerful radar which must often be augmented by space-based sensors. Must handle potential space-based decoys. Terminal phase[edit] Intercepting the missile after it reenters the atmosphere (examples: American Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, American Sprint, Russian ABM-3 Gazelle) Advantages Smaller/lighter anti-ballistic missile is sufficient. Balloon decoys do not work during reentry. Smaller, less sophisticated radar required. Disadvantages Very short intercept time, possibly less than 30 seconds. Less defended geographic coverage. Possible blanketing of target area with hazardous materials in the case of detonation of nuclear warhead(s). Intercept location relative to the atmosphere[edit] Missile defense can take place either inside (endoatmospheric) or outside (exoatmospheric) the Earth's atmosphere. The trajectory of most ballistic missiles takes them inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, and they can be intercepted either place. There are advantages and disadvantages to either intercept technique.