This week's AW&ST: apparently THAAD will have some ABM (as in anti- *ICBM*) capability.

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 03:41:05 -0400, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"Scott Ferrin" wrote in message
.. .



I was tempted to just copy/paste it but. . . Anyway. According to
the article the data on THAAD in it's current incarnation indicates
that it may have some terminal-phase ABM capability. I'd wondered if
it was a typo and they'd inadvertantly typed "ICBM" instead of "IRBM"
but it was repeated several times throughout the article and that it
would be tested against ICBM-type targets later in the test program.
Also, the missile's configuration is apparently quite different now
though whether that's just under the skin they didn't say.

From what I have read, THAAD has always been forseen to have an anti-ICBM
capability, but its engagement footprint in that role is supposed to be
pretty small,


When it was first designed it was right at the limit of what was
allowed under the ABM treaty. As for the footprint, terminal defenses
have never really had all that long of range anyway. Sprint was about
25 miles (although it could cover those miles a hell of a lot faster
than THAAD :-) ) and HIBEX was less than that. HEDI would have been
in the ballpark of Sprint most likely.



and its primary role was intended to address the shorter range
ballistic missiles one would expect to encounter in theater defense role.
That said, I did see where one recent document noted that apparently the "T"
in the acronym has lately been changed from representing "theater" to now
representing "terminal"--take that for what it is worth.


They also mentioned in the article that THAAD may reveive a "kick
motor" and larger booster and would be able to defend the entire east
or west coast against barge-launched (or sub-launched I suppose) TBMs
with one battery. Unless they had launchers distributed up and down
the coast though I find it difficult to imagine a THAAD in Oregon say
being able to reach a TBM launched off the coast of San Diego in time.




On the subject of missiles this file has some great stuff on the SA-10
and -12 family

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committe.../subs/sub2.pdf


I had no idea the main radar for the SA-10 was that damn big! (Big
Bird)