TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE EXECUTION OF THE SYSTEM OF ANTIAIRCRAFT AND ANTIMISSILE DEFENSE
"THE POLISH SHIELD"
The current condition of the shield and the ability to conduct combat with threats in air
In the 80\'s, the number of antiaircraft defense system objects was high, and was theoretically sufficient for proper air defense for a large number of objects in Poland. The current air defense system is based primarily in military equipment purchased from the former USSR or manufactured on the license of the former USSR. Long range air defense was provided by the S-200 WEGA regiment, 2K11 KRUG medium regiment, and the short range - by S-125 MEWA, 2K12 KUB and 9K33M2 systems, very short range - by means of artillery systems S-60, ZU-23-2, ZSU-23-4 and their modifications, and missile systems STRZAŁA-2 and GROM (the only system meeting current requirements of a battlefield for a system of this class). Air command and reconnaissance systems are manufactured in the country on the basis of own projects. Current air defense system units provide quite good air protection against piloted air objects. The situation is worse in the case of fighting cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and pilot-less missiles. Although their modernizations conducted recently in the country improved their immunity to radio-electronic interferences, steering, and ability to conduct combat passively with a minimal dose of electronic radiation, many missiles and other missile systems significantly limit their use on a modern battlefield. Additionally, the number of antimissile systems in possession in not sufficient to guarantee protection for all strategically important objects in the country, including antiaircraft defense units for the army and objects in the nearest few years.
The propositions for technical modernization of air defense systems:
As a result of a strategic agreement of BUMAR, RADWAR, PIT and the MBDA concern, we propose the creation of a multi-layered air defense system for Poland - named the "Polish Shield".
The system will consist of three layers:
Medium range antiaircraft missile systems MRAD (Medium Range Air Defense), basing on ASTER 30 missile able to fight ballistic missiles of tactical and operational destination, created in cooperation with MBDA, short range antiaircraft missiles SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense), basing on MICA VL missiles, created in cooperation with MBDA, missile and very short range artillery systems VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defense), created and manufactured by the Polish military industry.
The 1st layer: Medium range antiaircraft defense MRAD
As a result of the above mentioned agreement, BUMAR, RADWAR, PIT, and the MBDA concern, we can propose the creation of a medium (long) range air defense system MRAD, basing on ASTER 30 missiles.
The ASTER-30 subunit will consist of the following, basic elements of combat grouping:
Radiolocation Station of Detection and Location
Command station - the center of tactical operations
4-6 self-propelling launchers, 8 missiles each
The basic subunit of the ASTER 30 missile system may guarantee sufficient protection of an area of ≥ 6500 km2 against classic air threat means and ≥ 1500 km2 for ballistic missiles. Depending on the type of target, ASTER 30 missile may fight targets in air at the distance of 100 - 200 km and on the height of 20 km and more. The ASTER 30 missile is a 2-degree missile with train vector control in the launch phase and during the flight.
Tactical-technical characteristics:
Engine work time: 3,5 s
Velocity after 3,5 s: 1450 m/s (> Mach 4.0)
Maximum gravity load: 60 g
Active radiolocation warhead (RF)
Effective range: 100 ÷ 120km (airplanes)
30 km (ballistic missiles)
Effective range height: up to 21 km
A mobile ASTER 30 launcher contains 4 missiles
Antimissile defense
The ASTER 30 missile system is able to fight operational ballistic missiles, however, as in the case of other systems of this class, for instance, the PATRIOT, the system requires cooperation with reconnaissance and command systems OP. The system needs earlier information from the long range warning systems, then pointing the target for the RSWW radar of the ASTER 30 system, setting the RSWW radar for detecting and tracking the ballistic missile, pointing the target for the launcher and launching the missiles.
As part of common works over the MRAD systems with the ASTER 30 missile, the MBDA side is the side providing the launchers and ASTER 30 missiles (it is possible to co-produce the missiles in Poland) and the Center of Tactical Operations (on the basis of SAMOC objects). Since the ASTER 30 missile is under constant development, it will be able to fight ballistic missiles of ranges exceeding 1000 km.
The 2nd layer: Short range antiaircraft defense SHORAD
As a result of the above mentioned agreement of BUMAR, RADWAR, and PIT with MBDA, we can offer the creation of a short range antiaircraft defense system SHORAD, basing on MICA VL missiles by MBDA and Polish radars and command systems.
The subunit with MICA VL missiles will consist of the following, basic elements of combat grouping:
Radiolocation Station of Detection and Location
Command station - the center of tactical operations
4 self-propelling launchers
The basic subunit of the MICA VL missile system may guarantee sufficient protection of an area of ≥ 2500 km2
Depending on the type of target, MICA VL missile may fight air targets at the distance up to 15-20 km and at the height of 8-9 km.
The characteristics of MICA VL missiles:
Two types of missiles: with active radiolocation warhead (RF) and passive (IR),
The secretiveness of the system: "the silent killer"
Large acceptable gravity load: 50 g
Velocity 750 m/s after 2,5 s
The possibility of hitting the target P≥ 0.9
Vertical launch, 360º target zone
Resistance to radio-electronic interference
Length: 3,1 m
Caliber / span: f160 mm/
320 mm (wings) / 480 mm (ailerons)
Weight: 112 kG
Missile service - 25 years
Check - every 5 years,
Battery and engine exchange - every 12 years
The mobile MCA VL missile launcher contains 4 missiles MICA VL. It is possible to use various types of missiles on one launcher.
As part of common works over the SHORAD systems with the MICA VL missile, the MBDA side is the side providing the launchers and MICA VL missiles (it is possible to co-produce the missiles in Poland), and the Polish side prepares the RSWW radar (on the basis of own solutions) and the Center of Tactical Operations (on the basis of SAMOC objects).
The 3rd layer: very short range antiaircraft defense system VSHORAD
Very short range defense system (VSHORAD) - effective range 5-6 km, target height up to 4 km, is based in national industry technologies resulting from the execution of the 1994-2001 Strategic National Program - "Modern technologies for the needs of the development of the antiaircraft defense system for armies and objects" and used further in new products.
The basis of Very short range antiaircraft defense system will consist of mobile antiaircraft systems GROM, and 23 mm, 35 mm, 57 mm artillery systems, and artillery-missile systems with the GROM missiles (today, also with the S-2 missile). The latest KOBRA system developed by the Bumar Group is a good example.
The GROM assumes the armament of antiaircraft shooters, and mobile missile systems - POPRAD, and artillery-missile systems ZU-23-2-KG and ZSU-23-4MP. The modernized GROM system caused the modernization of its bearers, and the tactical-technical parameters of antiaircraft guns.
Conclusions:
1. It is worth to consider the offer of Bumar and the European Missile House MBDA, the system of antiaircraft and antimissile defense for Poland, as part of a national program, analogous to the Strategic National Program F-16, which may bring about the following effect:
the introduction of short and middle range antiaircraft defense systems,
the initiation if a Polish-European cooperation in the area of developing missile systems,
knowing new technologies,
utilizing the current, national systems and technologies,
full logistic-utility protection of the system by the Polish side
significant reduction of program costs through the whole service
2. In a time, when budget finances from the Ministry of Defense are limited to purchasing the most necessary weaponry and equipment, it is worth to invest in the development of own antiaircraft systems, in the development of the Polish defense industry, working in strict cooperation with the European industry. In this area, we have great potential and experience.
3. Such a way to execute the program (assuming the modernization of the existing system) may guarantee maintaining the necessary level of protection with a gradual possibility of improving in this matter.
