New projects and plans for the development of NATO's strategic missile defense
Operating principles of the SBIRS satellite constellation. United States Air Force graphics
The NATO countries, led by the United States, continue to build and develop their strategic missile defense system. Its various objects and systems have already been deployed in various regions of the planet, as well as in outer space. In addition, the development of new types of equipment and weapons for various purposes is underway right now, with the help of which the existing missile defense system will be strengthened in the foreseeable and distant future.
Space train
In the existing US and NATO missile defense system, the task of early detection of launching missiles of a potential enemy is assigned to the American SBIRS series spacecraft. This satellite constellation is almost completely formed and is on alert as part of an integrated early warning system. In the near future, the launch of the last devices will take place.
The Command of the Space Force and the leadership of the ABM Agency believe that SBIRS in its current and expected full configuration is fully consistent with its tasks. Satellites are capable of detecting the launch of both "traditional" intercontinental missiles and promising hypersonic complexes. At the same time, the development of the SBIRS system will continue. It is necessary to form the estimated composition of the group; the possibility of creating a new echelon in its composition is also being considered.
New satellites of the NG OPIR (Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared) system may become an alternative to the new SBIRS echelon. This project proposes the development of SPRN satellites with the same functions as SBIRS, but with higher performance. The development of such devices has already begun, and in 2025 the Space Force plans to launch a lead satellite into orbit.
Operation of the promising satellite HBTSS. Northrop Grumman Graphics
Taking into account the new threats, the development of the HBTSS (Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor) satellite with advanced functions has begun at the request of the ABM Agency. Northrop Grumman and L3Harris are involved in this program. Not later than 2023, they must complete the design and present experimental satellites of a new type.
According to the terms of reference, the HBTSS satellite will operate in low-earth orbit and detect launches of missiles of different classes. At the same time, the main task is to detect hypersonic warheads with subsequent tracking along the entire trajectory and issuing target designation to missile defense weapons.
The European countries of the Alliance are planning to create their own group of SPRN satellites. Since 2019, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Finland have been developing their strategic missile defense project TWISTER (Timely Warning and Interception with Space-Based Theater Surveillance). As the name suggests, one of the components of the missile defense system will be reconnaissance satellites. However, the development of such devices began recently, and technical details are still lacking.
Radio engineering component
The Alliance missile defense system includes a significant number of ground-based and sea-based radar stations for various purposes. There are several large missile warning radars in the United States, and stations from the Aegis Ashore complex are deployed in European countries. These systems are complemented by combat ships with the Aegis BMD system, which patrol in different regions.
Stationary missile defense system Aegis Ashore. In the foreground is a radar station. Photo US Naval Institute
In the distant future, the ground-based missile defense component will face a major upgrade. Not so long ago, the ABM Agency launched the development of a new radar DARC (Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability). It is reported that three such stations could be built by the end of the decade. Only one of them will operate in the United States. The other two will be built in the UK and Australia. This location of the radar, combined with high technical characteristics, will ensure effective surveillance of all important directions.
It is reported that the DARC-type radar will be a ground-based complex with an area of approx. 1 sq. Km. Its key elements will be 15-20 large-diameter transmitting and receiving antennas. Thanks to powerful transmitters and high-performance computing systems, DARC will be able to detect and track objects the size of a soccer ball at ranges and heights of up to 36 thousand km.
For several years, the possibility of creating fundamentally new radio-electronic and radio-technical means for use in missile defense has been studied. The LTL (Left to Launch) concept provides for the prevention of missile launch using cyberattacks, electromagnetic weapons, means of electronic warfare, etc.
SM-2 Block IIA rocket launch from the ship. Photo of the ABM Agency
As far as is known, while the LTL ideas are at different stages of development and are far from real implementation in the field of missile defense. Nevertheless, certain means of this kind, such as cyber weapons or electronic warfare, already exist and are actively used in other areas. Curiously, the US Missile Defense Agency has shown limited interest in such technologies, in contrast to the UK Department of Defense.
Means of defeat
NATO missile defense so far relies on the means of destruction of the American design. Thus, the SM-3 and SM-6 interceptor missiles are used as part of the Aegis BMD / Ashore complexes, and GBI products are on duty in the United States. In the medium and long term, promising interceptor missiles are expected to appear, and not only of American production.
Currently, the United States is developing a promising NGI (Next-Generation Interceptor) interceptor. The possibility of deep modernization of the existing GBI missile or the creation of a new product with all the necessary capabilities is being considered. As in the previous project, it is proposed to create a multistage missile with a kinetic intercept combat stage. In the absence of difficulty, the first NGIs will be able to go on alert in 2027-28.
Anti-missile GBI. Photo of the ABM Agency
A few weeks ago, the ABM Agency launched the GPI (Glide Phase Interceptor) program, which aims to develop an anti-missile to intercept hypersonic warheads. Leading developers of rocket systems are involved in the program. In the coming months, they will have to explore the available opportunities and work out preliminary projects. The timing of the completion of the program and the launch of GPI combat duty has not yet been announced.
Its own anti-missile missile will be developed for the European complex TWISTER. The highest requirements are imposed on this project. The ammunition will have to develop a speed of at least 5 M and climb to heights of up to 80-100 km. Its targets will be short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, various cruise missiles and even hypersonic warheads. The TWISTER interceptor will be based on land and sea platforms.
A large number of different organizations and companies from all participating countries are involved in the TWISTER project. While they are doing the necessary research and just getting ready for the design. In this regard, even the approximate dates for the appearance of experimental products, not to mention full-fledged combat duty, remain unknown.
Main trends
In general, NATO pays great attention to the issues of strategic and tactical missile defense. In this area, new projects of various kinds are regularly proposed, and some of them soon come to practical implementation and putting on alert. At the same time, the overall complexity of the missile defense direction affects the progress of work and leads to the formation of a characteristic picture.
Possible appearance of a promising NGI anti-missile. Lockheed Martin Graphics
It is easy to see that of all NATO countries, only the United States has demonstrated real successes in the field of strategic missile defense. Possessing a significant scientific and technical base and broad financial capabilities, they have already created and brought into operation a number of anti-missile systems. Systems for their development are deployed both on their own territory and in allied countries.
Moreover, measures are being taken to further develop missile defense. New projects of ground and space assets are being created, and promising anti-missiles are being developed. At the same time, the development of already mastered directions continues, and at the same time completely new ones are being mastered. Due to this, it is planned to improve the general characteristics of the missile defense system, as well as give it the ability to counter new threats.
Until recently, European countries did not pay due attention to the development of their own missile defense systems and relied only on American participation. Now they have changed their minds and are trying to develop a new missile defense system with broad capabilities that can compete with US products. However, a number of obvious factors prevent the rapid and high-quality creation of such a system.
Thus, it should be expected that in the short and medium term - until the end of this decade - NATO's strategic missile defense will gradually develop, but these processes will do without fundamental changes. The basis of such a missile defense system will remain American forces and assets, incl. in someone else's territory. At the same time, they will gradually increase their characteristics and acquire new opportunities. By the end of the decade, the emergence of their own European systems is possible, but their ability to influence the general situation is still in question.
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