Application of Low-Cost Turbo-Jet Powered Interceptors for Cruise Missile Defense

摘要

With the proliferation of highly accurate long-range cruise missiles and the demonstrated capabilities of this type of weapon, defense against this threat is becoming an essential military requirement. Furthermore, the inherent characteristics of evolving cruise missiles, such as low cost, long range, payload mix and numerous launch options, are making cruise missiles a weapon of choice for many military planners. As a result, potential adversaries could soon possess sufficiently large numbers of this type of weapon that cannot be cost effectively addressed with available U.S. air defense systems. What is needed is a low-cost ground launched interceptor that can fulfill this critical need. This paper will detail the concept for such an affordable cruise missile defense system. It will include the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), a definition of the integrated system and detail the innovative use of current sensors and other technologies. Analytical and simulation results are utilized as the basis for the development of the concept and evaluation of its expected capabilities.