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AAD/PAD VS S300

Dude...I thought your own SM-3 and variants can go out to ranges of 700 to 1,500km (once a suitable altitude is reached).
Correct me if I'm wrong about that.

You're not wrong on most, the range estimations are off though. However SM-3 is a counter-missile missile - it's effectiveness against aircraft is limited (hence the existence of SM-6 and the retention of SM-2), while S-300 does a bit of both, but is not too good on anti-missile duties. S-400 is largely the same, while S-500 is still unknown in its overall capabilities.

The SM-3 IIA has a massive range and conducted it's first flight today:

Aerojet Rocketdyne Propulsion Critical to Inaugural SM-3 Block IIA Flight Test

sm-3_blockii_480x318.jpg


EPAA-JOan-op-ed-figure2.jpg


rms12_sm3_infographic_download.jpg
 
AAD/PAD VS S300

Lets start with Radar

S300

S-300PMU1 (SA-10/20) System

At the equipment display, the SA-10 equipment was toured. The fire control radar (NATO designation Flap Lid) and the operating positions in the command post vehicle were exhibited. Data from the three-dimensional surveillance radar [5N64/64N6E] (Big Bird) were displayed in the vehicle. The horizon search radar [5N66/76N6] (Clam Shell) was not on display.

The feed, shown in the above image, consists of two linearly polarized horns, a polarisation-sensitive reflector, and a circular polarizing grid.


The receive horn cluster is on the axis of the array and vertically polarized. The received signal polarisation, which is circular (for example, right-hand) as it passes through the main array, is converted to vertical by the polarizing grid, which is a curved element immediately within the plastic enclosure.

The transmit horn is horizontally polarized and is located near the bottom of the plastic enclosure. It illuminates the polarization-sensitive reflector. the plane of which is oriented at about 45- relative to the array axis and which is invisible to the received wave.

The polarizing grid transforms the transmitted wave into circular polarization with sense opposite to that of the received wave (for example, left-hand).

This transformation provides reciprocal operation of the Faraday rotator phase shifters. The orthogonal polarizations of the transmitted and received waves provide the duplexer isolation normally supplied by a circulator, reducing the round-trip RF loss by 1 dB.

Reciprocal operation is an important feature of this array, since the waveform used for target tracking uses bursts at high PRF (100 kHz) to overcome clutter. The clutter attenuation of the system is 100 dB. making possible long range target detection in competition with ground clutter or rain from within the 1500 m unambiguous range of the waveform. As a result of this operating mode, the radar can reject moving clutter from rain, chaff and birds using unambiguous Doppler filtering, as do the continuous wave radars in US systems, such as Hawk.

The monopulse receive feed uses six horns. The two center horns are each excited in two modes, one for the sum channel and one for the azimuth difference. Thus, the feed is the equivalent ot the 12-horn feed described by P.W. Hannan in his 1961 paper. Since the received signal is linearly polarized at this feed, multimode operation is possible, and the illumination function can be controlled to minimize sidelobes and spillover
.[1]


30N6-PESA-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg





NIIIP-64N6E2-PESA-SA-20B-WP-1S.jpg


A late model 64N6E2 Big Bird 3D surveillance radar on display. Below, note the booms and horns feeding the transmissive array (Wikipedia images).
NIIIP-64N6E2-PESA-SA-20B-WP-2S.jpg

64N6E-Stowed-Antenna-1S.jpg

64N6E2 Bid Bird antenna in stowed position. The outer panels fold inward, the booms carrying the feed horns fold down flush with the array, and the whole assembly folds forward and level with the roof of the cabin. Note the waveguides and rotational couplers feeding the booms. Deploy/stow images here [1], [2] (Russian internet images).
54K6E1 Command Post

Within the Command Post (CP) were five display positions plus positions for communications personnel. The commander's console was the center of the five consoles, which were almost identical. Each console had a large plan positioner indicator (PPI) displaying synthetic video from the Big Bird and from external sources, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. To the left of the PPI is an alphanumeric display on which appear the data for up to 36 targets. They are assigned (six each) to the six Flap Lids that may be controlled by the CP.

To the commander's left, the two positions are occupied by officers who actually fire the missiles. To the right are officers who coordinate with higher headquarters or adjacent CPs, who accept assignments of targets to be passed by the commander to the Flap Lids in priority order, and who evaluate targets detected locally by Big Bird.

The small displays at these positions can be set to provide azimuth-elevation (BE) displays of Big Bird video, intensity modulated to show target elevation. The Big Bird data appear on the PPI display as an intensified sweep, leaving behind target markers with alphanumeric tags, which are refreshed at a high rate.
54K6E2-S.jpg


54K6E1 S-300PMU1 Command Post (Russian MoD).
30N6E1-Antenna-Deployed-1S.jpg


Late model 30N6E1 Tomb Stone in deployed configuration with elevated datalink mast (Chinese internet image).
30N6E1 Fire Control Radar S-300PMU1 (Flap Lid / Tomb Stone)

The Flap Lid radar tracks up to six targets that have been assigned by the CP for engagement. The array is an X-band space-fed lens of 10,000 elements, tilted 30° from the vertical, as shown in the images. The active portion of the array is circular, and small sidelobe canceler arrays are within the plastic cover at the bottom of the main array.
The array is mounted on a rotatable turret behind the cab of the [MAZ7910] vehicle and in front of the fixed equipment shelter.

The RF and lF equipment is mounted within the turret, eliminating rotary joints and long runs of waveguide or coaxial cable for receiver signals.
DKB-Flap-Lid-Feed-Diagram-1S.png

Flap Lid antenna feed arrangement by David K Barton, original artwork as used in Microwave Journal, May 1994, provided by author (Image © 1994, 2009 David K Barton).
 
The feed, shown in the above image, consists of two linearly polarized horns, a polarisation-sensitive reflector, and a circular polarizing grid.

The receive horn cluster is on the axis of the array and vertically polarized. The received signal polarisation, which is circular (for example, right-hand) as it passes through the main array, is converted to vertical by the polarizing grid, which is a curved element immediately within the plastic enclosure.

The transmit horn is horizontally polarized and is located near the bottom of the plastic enclosure. It illuminates the polarization-sensitive reflector. the plane of which is oriented at about 45- relative to the array axis and which is invisible to the received wave.

The polarizing grid transforms the transmitted wave into circular polarization with sense opposite to that of the received wave (for example, left-hand).

This transformation provides reciprocal operation of the Faraday rotator phase shifters. The orthogonal polarizations of the transmitted and received waves provide the duplexer isolation normally supplied by a circulator, reducing the round-trip RF loss by 1 dB.

Reciprocal operation is an important feature of this array, since the waveform used for target tracking uses bursts at high PRF (100 kHz) to overcome clutter. The clutter attenuation of the system is 100 dB. making possible long range target detection in competition with ground clutter or rain from within the 1500 m unambiguous range of the waveform. As a result of this operating mode, the radar can reject moving clutter from rain, chaff and birds using unambiguous Doppler filtering, as do the continuous wave radars in US systems, such as Hawk.

The monopulse receive feed uses six horns. The two center horns are each excited in two modes, one for the sum channel and one for the azimuth difference. Thus, the feed is the equivalent ot the 12-horn feed described by P.W. Hannan in his 1961 paper. Since the received signal is linearly polarized at this feed, multimode operation is possible, and the illumination function can be controlled to minimize sidelobes and spillover.[1]
[paste:font size="4"]Miroslav Gyűrösi).

30N6-PESA-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg

30N6-Feed-MiroslavGyurosi-2S.jpg

30N6E series space feed dielectric lens and collapsible shroud(Images ©Miroslav Gyűrösi).

30N6-Feed-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg


30N6-1-NLD-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg


30N6-1 series space feed dielectric lens and collapsible shroud(images ©Miroslav Gyűrösi).
5N63S-Flap-Lid-B-ByeloRussian-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg

Early model 5N63S Flap Lid B operated by the ByeloRussian air defence forces(images ©Miroslav Gyűrösi).
 
9P82+9P83-TELARs-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg


9A83 and 9A82 TELARs deployed(images ©Miroslav Gyűrösi).
9A82 Giant TELAR

The enclosed images show the TELAR antenna for the Giant missile. The antenna is mounted on a mast structure that is fixed in a horizontal position. As a result, the first axis is a roll axis and the second axis, which permits the antenna to move in elevation, can be an azimuth axis when the first has rolled through 90°. In effect, the pedestal is of the x-y type, which can track targets through zenith without excessive angular accelerations.
9A83 Gladiator TELAR

The TELAR for the smaller (Gladiator) missile has an antenna mast that is erected vertically, a s shown in exclosed images. The antenna pedestal is the conventional elevation over a zimuth type. There are four missile canisters at the rear of the TELAR, and the bottoms of these c anisters rest on the ground when the canisters are raised to the vertical launch position.
9A82 and 9A83 TELAR Antennas
9P82-CW-Illuminator-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg


9P82 CW Illuminator antenna in detail.

9P82-CW-Illuminator-MiroslavGyurosi-2S.jpg


9P82-CW-Illuminator-MiroslavGyurosi-3S.jpg


9P83-CW-Illuminator-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg
9P83 CW Illuminator antenna in detail.

9P83-CW-Illuminator-MiroslavGyurosi-2S.jpg


9P83-TELAR-Deployed-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg
 
9S32-Deployed-1S.jpg

The 9S32 Grill Pan engagement radar used with the S-300V/VM / SA-12/23 employs much the same feed arrangement as the 5N63/63S/30N6E Flap Lid engagement radar used with the S-300P/PS/PM/PMU/PMU1/2 / SA-10/20 systems (via Smotr).
[paste:font size="5"]Miroslav Gyűrösi).Additional images [1], [2]. Below stow operation (via Smotr).
9S15-Bill-Board-Deployment-1S.jpg

[paste:font size="4"]Miroslav Gyűrösi).

9S32-PESA-MiroslavGyurosi-2S.jpg


Auxiliary antennas on the Grill Pan.

9S32-PESA-MiroslavGyurosi-3S.jpg


Grill Pan PESA deployed aft view.


9S32-PESA-MiroslavGyurosi-4S.jpg


The Grill Pan antenna folds aft when stowed.
9S32-Feeds-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg


9S32 Grill Pan circular polarised antenna feeds, the upper is for aircraft targets, the lower for TBM targets.
9S32-Feed-MiroslavGyurosi-2S.jpg

9S32-Feed-MiroslavGyurosi-1S.jpg
 
One of the most populous nations in the world, India has engaged in numerous regional conflicts in the past. The threat environment led to the creation of a point-defense oriented EW and SAM network designed not to protect the skies over India, but to protect the military units tasked with such a role. This ultimately led to the creation of a number of EW and SAM units within the Indian Air Force.

OVERVIEW

Indian air defense elements, to include EW assets, SAM systems, and interceptors, are subordinate to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This allows the IAF to coordinate both sensors and weapons, allowing for a maximum degree of target deconfliction. SAM units are organized as squadrons, with radar units being organized as either signal units or transportable radar units, depending on the assigned types. These units are in turn subordinate to the five operational commands in the IAF.

The Indian SAM network follows a point defense layout. The primary SAM system employed by the IAF is the S-125M (SA-3B GOA). These systems are deployed at various airbases in the northern and western portions of India. EW assets are deployed primarily along border regions, with the highest concentration being present along the northern and western borders with Pakistan.

EW ASSETS

Fifty four EW sites have been identified in India. The primary assets are THD-1955, P-12/18 (SPOON REST), and 36D6 (TIN SHIELD) radars. Thirteen THD-1955 radars arrayed primarily along the border region from Pakistan to Myanmar provide a significant amount of EW coverage. EW coverage is enhanced by fourteen 36D6 radar sites, arrayed primarily along the border with Pakistan. The 36D6 is significant as it can provide both target track data to SAM batteries as well as GCI support for Russian-origin fighter aircraft such as the MiG-29 (FULCRUM) or Su-30MKI (FLANKER-H). P-12/18 radar sites are scattered throughout the region, as are indigenous Indra-II radar units. The net result is an EW network that is heavily oriented towards potential threats.

The following image depicts the locations of identified Indian EW facilities. Dark blue diamonds represent basic EW sites, typically manned by P-12/18 or Indra-II radar systems, while light blue diamonds represent THD-1955 radar facilities. Blue circles represent 36D6 radar facilities. The range rings given for the 36D6 sites represent the 165 km acquisition range against a typical fighter-size target. Each radar system is capable of target detection at greater ranges depending on the target RCS and altitude, with the THD-1955 typically employing a range of 400 km.


The following image depicts a typical THD-1955 site. These large radars are sited atop dedicated structures. This site is located south of Shillong in eastern India.



The following image depicts a deployed 36D6 radar at Pune AB in western India. This radar likely serves as both an EW and GCI asset, given its co-location with Su-30MKI fighters.



India does possess the 40V6 series of masts for mounting the 36D6, although their use appears to be relatively infrequent. The following image from February 2008 depicts a 36D6 mounted atop a 40V6 mast assembly at Nal AB. Imagery captured four months later indicates that the 36D6 is still deployed but has been removed from the 40V6. Only thee 36D6 locations have an identifiable 40V6 series mast available for use.



Other EW assets include the A-50I AWACS based at Agra AB, and potentially an aerostat system found near the border with Pakistan. The aerostat system's purpose is unknown at this time, but could potentially be used to mount an air surveillance system. The facility can be seen in the image below.



THE S-125


India's primary strategic SAM system is the S-125M. These systems were delivered between 1973 and 1989 from the USSR, and thirty four batteries are currently active. These batteries provide point defense for key military installations, typically airbases, in the northern and western portions of India.

The locations of India's active S-125M batteries and their engagement zones can be seen in the image below:



The S-125M has two specific drawbacks: range and single-target engagement capability. The ability of the system to engage one target per battery is partially mitigated by placing multiple batteries at many locations, but the 25 km maximum range of the system effectively reduces its role to one of point defense only, lacking the range to provide long-range overlapping fields of fire necessary for a more robust air defense network.

IAF S-125M batteries are frequently relocated in their operating areas. This can be done to complicate targeting by enemy assets and to allow systems to be cycled through maintenance periods. The following image depicts the S-125M deployment area at Vadodara AB in western India. While only one location currently has an active battery, there are four other locations which have been active at some point in the past.



Numbering the S-125M locations 1 through 5 from west to east, the following information can be derived from available imagery:

Site 1
-Active from December 2005 to March 2010

Site 2
-Active from October 2000 to October 2002
-Active from June 2003 to November 2003
-Active from December 2003 to March 2010

Site 3
-Active from October 2000 to October 2002

Site 4
-Active from November 2003 to December 2005
-Currently active as of March 2010

Site 5
-Active from June 2003 to March 2010

All told, there are twenty one inactive or former S-125M positions identified throughout India that can be used as relocation sites should the need arise.

TACTICAL SYSTEMS

Tactical SAM systems are also operated as point defense assets in the IAF. The primary system is the Osa-AKM (SA-8 GECKO), a mobile system mounted on a wheeled TELAR. The 10 km range of the system allows it to serve as a layered short-range counterpart to co-located S-125M batteries.

An IAF Osa-AKM TELAR can be seen in-garrison near Ambala AB in the image below.



The Indian Army operates the 2K12 Kvadrat (SA-6 GAINFUL), which could be employed in a similar capacity to IAF Osa-AKM units if required. The Army also operates additional Osa-AKM units.

LIMITATIONS

Given that India has chosen to rely on a point-defense oriented air defense network, the lack of long-range SAM coverage is not a true limitation. Furthermore, the presence of significant numbers of fighter aircraft such as the Su-30MKI cpaable of acting in concert with the EW network to perform interception tasks can alleviate the lack of long-range SAM coverage. However, there are still some limitations to be addressed within the network as it is currently organized.

The primary limitation is one of terrain. Northern and eastern India contains very varied terrain, which can introduce significant blind spots in radar or SAM coverage, reducing the network's effectiveness. The issue of EW coverage has been addressed to a degree by the procurement of the A-50I AWACS platform.

The other significant limitation faced by the strategic SAM network is one of age. While many of the systems have been refurbished or modified to retain their effectiveness, the age of the systems is such that a potential aggressor has enjoyed a significant amount of time to discern weaknesses and develop ECM systems and countertactics to defeat the deployed systems. In truth, it is the age of many of these systems that has pushed India towards developing and procuring new SAM systems to replace the elderly systems currently in widespread use.
 
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ABM DEVELOPMENTS

One significant aspect of Indian air defense that will become operational in the near future is an ABM capability. India began researching an ABM system in 1999, with the goal of fielding a two-tier system. The two-tier system would consist of the exoatmospheric PAD, a Prithvi SRBM derivative, and the endoatmospheric AAD. Where PAD employs a directional warhead, AAD employs a hit-to-kill kinetic warhead. It is now believed that a new weapon referred to as PDV will replace the PAD in the two-tier structure. This system is capable of engaging 1500 km range ballistic missiles, making it an ATBM rather than a true ABM system, but a separate system with a design goal of engaging 5000 km range weapons is underway to field a true ABM.

The radar syste employed by the PAD/AAD weapons is referred to as Swordfish and is in actuality a modified Israeli EL/M-2080 Green Pine radar system. Two of these radars were delivered to India in 2002. One is currently sited northeast of Bangalore, with the second being located near Konark on India's northeast coast. The radars are sited in protective domes. The inland facility can be seen in the image below:



FUTURE PROSPECTS

India is actively developing and acquiring new SAM systems to revitalize its air defense force for the 21st Century. There are three significant programs which should begin to bear fruit in the near term. The first is the Akash, being procured by the IAF to potentially replace S-125M systems. This is an indigenous mobile SAM system derived in part from the 2K12. Maitri is a short-range SAM being co-developed with France, employing technology used in the French Mica BVR AAM. The third program is a long-range SAM system. This system may build upon the aforementioned AAD weapon under the codename of Ashvin. Deployment of these weapon systems will eventually allow the IAF to retire the S-125M and Osa-AKM, replacing them with weapons more capable of performing effectively in the current environment.

CONCLUSION

While India's SAM network does not appear to be particularly robust or capable on paper, it is not intended to serve as the primary protector of the nation's airspace. However, even with its more limited role, modernization programs must continue if the network is to remain viable in the forseeable future.
 
S300 is primarily anti air defence missile with BMD capabilities in secondary role. While Indian BMD is pure BMD based defence missile. Hope that clears the major flaw in comparison. We can discuss abt it but it will be of limited significance due to the very nature of S300. If you are interested in same, we can discuss abt S300 varients and very extended range SAM varients ranging from under 200 km and above 200 km range.

The S-300 system was developed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Soviet Air Defence Forces.

Subsequent variations were developed to intercept ballistic missiles.
 

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