Report on India's indigenous Cruise Missile Defence (CMD) Program

[Hareeshu IA MBT]

Yes,we have a two tier BMD system with PAD for high altitude interception and AAD for low altitude which could intercept a missle fired from 2000-2500kms away and was first said to be deployed in Delhi & Mumbai,with Induction of PDV we could intercept missile from 5K kms away,PDV would replace PAD in 2016,as it falls into Phase 2 of BMD programme. But the thing is why have a CMD programme when AAD or SAM's could do the job?or am i missing something.

CMD programme will concentrate on CM trajectory which surface hugging missiles.we need highly flexible missile to counter babar like cm

 

[Nova2]

CMD programme will concentrate on CM trajectory which surface hugging missiles.we need highly flexible missile to counter babar like cm

I know bro ,but it was Dr.saraswat who once said that AAD could intercept cruise missile,hence was the question. Maybe they had thought of having a programme focused only on cruise missiles.

 

[kṣamā]

@Nova2 & @levina : CMD and BMD are two different ball game altogether. A BM requires altitude to reach or fall to it's target. Like a lofted ball in a basketball game. Where as the CM is a directed action weapon which can FLY (and not FALL) to reach it's target . And it flies at very low altitude. something like a fielder throwing a cricket ball to the wicket keeper.

Now an object in a lofted trajectory can be detected by a various methods at various phase. And it's relatively easy to detect, as after launch the object is always above radar horizon. But cruise missiles are always at tree height to evade ground based radar. So Solution .. place radars at altitude in look down mode. And to intercept you need high G Capable missile which can change direction on a dime.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

@Nova2 & @levina : CMD and BMD are two different ball game altogether. A BM requires altitude to reach or fall to it's target. Like a lofted ball in a basketball game. Where as the CM is a directed action weapon which can FLY (and not FALL) to reach it's target . And it flies at very low altitude. something like a fielder throwing a cricket ball to the wicket keeper.

Now an object in a lofted trajectory can be detected by a various methods at various phase. And it's relatively easy to detect, as after launch the object is always above radar horizon. But cruise missiles are always at tree height to evade ground based radar. So Solution .. place radars at altitude in look down mode. And to intercept you need high G Capable missile which can change direction on a dime.

True on some parts, but not on others. Yes, in their initial phases and to reach long ranges, ballistic missiles require altitude and speed (though not always a some ballistic missiles fly low, but long trajectories, such as the US ATACMS and the Russian 9K720), but once aloft they can largely act as as very high speed cruise missiles... just less prone to interception, some are cruise missiles!!! These are known as "encapsulated cruise missiles" which use a ballistic missile to increase the range of their cruise missile payload. Hyper-sonic glide weapons use the same method of delivery. The US Pershing II and Chinese DF-21 (this one is speculatory, but the DF-21 is thought to have a high-performance warhead) have maneuverable warheads that glide at high speed, low altitudes and for long-ranges to attack their targets. They can be released from high altitudes, and nowhere close to their targets and glide towards them. These warheads are even more difficult to track and defeat for ABM systems, though its hardly impossible. Many ballistic missiles follow a ballistic ark and thus are easy targets for an advanced ABM system, but not all follow this predictable path, more and more are beginning to resemble the Pershing II.

MGM-31B Pershing II | Missile ThreatMissile Threat - the Pershing II was also an ASBM, prior to several arms limitation treaties with the Russians.

Cruise missiles are not always at tree height, that's just one mode of delivery. Plenty are released and fly at high altitudes by long-range aircraft such as the US B-52. Using terrain mapping, cruise missiles will hug the ground, but sometimes they use other forms of guidance and thus doesn't need to hug the trees.

http://www.ausairpower.net/SP/DT-CM-Guidance-June-2009.pdf - this is about the guidance options for cruise missiles.

Also for slow and large cruise missiles, even mediocre defenses will suffice, no high-performance system is needed. In Kosovo several Tomahawks were shot down using AA guns. 6 tomahawks were shot down during the Gulf War as well.

Weapons - Tomahawk Missile | The Gulf War | FRONTLINE | PBS

American Aircraft Shot Down By Serbia In 1999 | The Velvet Rocket

Both cruise and ballistic missiles are difficult to track and detect, especially if you are dealing with a ballistic missile delaying decoys or a maneuverable warhead.

Nothing too wrong with what you wrote, just though I would offer some clarifications.

 

[Levina]

True on some parts, but not on others. Yes, in their initial phases and to reach long ranges, ballistic missiles require altitude and speed (though not always a some ballistic missiles fly low, but long trajectories, such as the US ATACMS and the Russian 9K720), but once aloft they can largely act as as very high speed cruise missiles... just less prone to interception, some are cruise missiles!!! These are known as "encapsulated cruise missiles" which use a ballistic missile to increase the range of their cruise missile payload. Hyper-sonic glide weapons use the same method of delivery. The US Pershing II and Chinese DF-21 (this one is speculatory, but the DF-21 is thought to have a high-performance warhead) have maneuverable warheads that glide at high speed, low altitudes and for long-ranges to attack their targets. They can be released from high altitudes, and nowhere close to their targets and glide towards them. These warheads are even more difficult to track and defeat for ABM systems, though its hardly impossible. Many ballistic missiles follow a ballistic ark and are this easy targets for an advances ABM system, but not all follow this predictable path, more and more are beginning to resemble the Pershing II.

MGM-31B Pershing II | Missile ThreatMissile Threat - the Pershing II was also an ASBM, prior to several arms limitation treaties with the Russians.

Cruise missiles are not always at tree height, that's just one mode of delivery. Plenty are released and fly at high altitudes by long-range aircraft such as the US B-52. Using terrain mapping, cruise missiles will hug the ground, but sometimes they use other forms of guidance and thus doesn't need to hug the trees. Also for slow and large cruise missiles, even mediocre defenses will suffice, no high-performance system is needed. In Kosovo several Tomahawks were shot down using AA guns. 6 tomahawks were shot down during the Gulf War as well.

Weapons - Tomahawk Missile | The Gulf War | FRONTLINE | PBS

American Aircraft Shot Down By Serbia In 1999 | The Velvet Rocket

Both cruise and ballistic missiles are difficult to track and detect, especially if you are dealing with a ballistic missile delaying decoys or a maneuverable warhead.

Nothing too wrong with what you wrote, just though I would offer some clarifications.

Thanks you Sir!

 

[a.kumar]

That Gujju Author is out of his Mind , Air launched Cruise missiles don't have Launch Phase like LACM since they are launched from Fighters aircrafts already from Higher altitudes which cannot be picked up by Low level radar and Hatf IX or Nasr is tactical ballistic missile which will be used on Advancing Enemy force within its border , so Is Author suggesting that along with tanks IA will carry Interceptors and Radars ? highly unlikely , CMD will be used only to Protect Forward Airbases at best .

Gods Know what he is smoking this days

 

[kṣamā]

True on some parts, but not on others. Yes, in their initial phases and to reach long ranges, ballistic missiles require altitude and speed (though not always a some ballistic missiles fly low, but long trajectories, such as the US ATACMS and the Russian 9K720), but once aloft they can largely act as as very high speed cruise missiles... just less prone to interception, some are cruise missiles!!! These are known as "encapsulated cruise missiles" which use a ballistic missile to increase the range of their cruise missile payload. Hyper-sonic glide weapons use the same method of delivery. The US Pershing II and Chinese DF-21 (this one is speculatory, but the DF-21 is thought to have a high-performance warhead) have maneuverable warheads that glide at high speed, low altitudes and for long-ranges to attack their targets. They can be released from high altitudes, and nowhere close to their targets and glide towards them. These warheads are even more difficult to track and defeat for ABM systems, though its hardly impossible. Many ballistic missiles follow a ballistic ark and thus are easy targets for an advanced ABM system, but not all follow this predictable path, more and more are beginning to resemble the Pershing II.

MGM-31B Pershing II | Missile ThreatMissile Threat - the Pershing II was also an ASBM, prior to several arms limitation treaties with the Russians.

Cruise missiles are not always at tree height, that's just one mode of delivery. Plenty are released and fly at high altitudes by long-range aircraft such as the US B-52. Using terrain mapping, cruise missiles will hug the ground, but sometimes they use other forms of guidance and thus doesn't need to hug the trees.

http://www.ausairpower.net/SP/DT-CM-Guidance-June-2009.pdf - this is about the guidance options for cruise missiles.

Also for slow and large cruise missiles, even mediocre defenses will suffice, no high-performance system is needed. In Kosovo several Tomahawks were shot down using AA guns. 6 tomahawks were shot down during the Gulf War as well.

Weapons - Tomahawk Missile | The Gulf War | FRONTLINE | PBS

American Aircraft Shot Down By Serbia In 1999 | The Velvet Rocket

Both cruise and ballistic missiles are difficult to track and detect, especially if you are dealing with a ballistic missile delaying decoys or a maneuverable warhead.

Nothing too wrong with what you wrote, just though I would offer some clarifications.

Well no one can argue with you... And what you said is definitely true and a detailed. I was just providing a highly abstract and watered down explanation. Anyways it's always better to know things in detail !!

 

[Nova2]

@Nova2 & @levina : CMD and BMD are two different ball game altogether. A BM requires altitude to reach or fall to it's target. Like a lofted ball in a basketball game. Where as the CM is a directed action weapon which can FLY (and not FALL) to reach it's target . And it flies at very low altitude. something like a fielder throwing a cricket ball to the wicket keeper.

Now an object in a lofted trajectory can be detected by a various methods at various phase. And it's relatively easy to detect, as after launch the object is always above radar horizon. But cruise missiles are always at tree height to evade ground based radar. So Solution .. place radars at altitude in look down mode. And to intercept you need high G Capable missile which can change direction on a dime.

They are indeed very different a CM flies at non-ballistic low trajectory,it doesn't fly at tree top level for their complete flight path but majority of the flight path of a CM is low altitude untill interception,why i said a CM could be intercepted by AAD is just because of this statement by chief of missile programme nothing more,though it was said quite long ago..

"Our studies have indicated that this(AAD) will be able to handle a cruise missile intercept," says Dr VK Saraswat, Chief, Missile Programme

 

[kurup]