The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is concerned about media reports about the testing of the latest American anti-missile SM-3 Block IIA, scheduled for 2020. The corresponding statement was published on the website of the diplomatic department.
As noted in the ministry, foreign media previously circulated information with reference to the "unnamed representatives" of the Pentagon about the upcoming tests of the rocket. Also, the launches are mentioned in the Review of US policy in the field of missile defense published on January 17, 2019.
"Reports of the planned tests of the SM-3 Block IIA to intercept ICBMs once again confirm the cynicism of Washington’s statements about the non-directionality of the global US missile defense system against Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
As the department explained, over the years, Washington has assured Moscow that the emerging global missile defense system does not pose a threat to Russia's security. In particular, the United States authorities refused to take into account the calculations of Russian specialists, "clearly demonstrating the ability of the American anti-missile missiles of this modification to hit Russian strategic offensive arms (strategic offensive weapons. - RT )".
- USS Chung-Hoon Destroyer (DDG-93) launches anti-missile missile
- © US Navy
"Ready medium-range rocket"
The SM-3 Block IIA is the newest modification of the Standard Missile family of solid-propellant antimissiles. They are designed for firing from universal launchers (PU) Mk 41, which are equipped with large warships and ground complexes Aegis Ashore in Poland (Redzikovo) and in Romania (Deveselu).
The Russian Defense Ministry is convinced that the use of this launcher on land violates the terms of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF). In addition to firing Standard Missile, the Mk 41 can be used to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Professor of the Academy of Military Sciences Vadim Kozyulin said in an interview with RT that there is no significant difference between the sea and land versions of the Mk 41. The deployment of these launchers in Eastern Europe poses a potential threat to the Russian Federation, since they can be used to launch Tomahawks, he notes.
Among experts there is a perception that SM-3 can be used against ground targets. In fact, this is a ready medium-range rocket.
In particular, Yury Knutov, director of the museum of air defense troops in Balashikha, adheres to this point of view. The expert is convinced that SM-3 missiles, including the newest version, can be converted to strike ground targets. He also noted that the US industry is currently developing an SM-4 LASM anti-missile with a weighted warhead that is needed to destroy ground facilities.
“SM-4 will be an improved version of the SM-3 family. The development of Standard Missile missiles is direct evidence that the United States has deliberately and consistently violated the INF Treaty since the 2000s. The meaning of the US global missile defense system is not only in leveling the capabilities of our nuclear weapons, but also in enhancing the strike potential, ”explained Knutov.
Joint development of the USA and Japan
The SM-3 Block IIA missile is being created as part of a joint US-Japanese project. Raytheon Corporation (Mass.) Is the lead developer of these weapons. Enterprise Aerojet (California) manufactures the first stage of the rocket based on the starting engine MK 72. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Tokyo) manufactures a nose cone, homing head, second and third stage propulsion systems.
The US Missile Defense Agency has invested $ 925 million in the project. According to tactical and technical characteristics, the SM-3 Block IIA will be able to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and their combat units at a range of up to 1,000 km and at altitudes from 70 to 500 km. The speed of the antimissile can reach 5 km / s.
- Start anti-missiles SM-2
- © US Navy
“The missile (SM-3 Block IIA), developed jointly by Japanese and American industry, is vital for both our countries and ultimately improves our ability to protect ourselves from the increasing threats of ballistic missile use around the world,” the ABM director said earlier. US Vice Admiral Jim Siring.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev told RT that the United States and Japan are pursuing different tasks, developing the SM-3 Block IIA. According to the expert, Washington expects to receive weapons to intercept Russian ICBMs, while Tokyo is seriously concerned about the nuclear-missile arsenal of the DPRK.
“Without a doubt, both states are interested in the development of the project. I am not ready to assess the impact of the fact that they have different goals. But it is obvious that the United States and Japan at the price will not stand. The rocket will not be cheap. The Japanese Defense Ministry will acquire four SM-3 Block IIA for $ 133.3 million, ”said Kornev.
The expert noted that the combat capabilities of the SM-3 Block IIA will significantly exceed the previous samples. However, the unsuccessful test of the rocket, which occurred on January 31, 2018 in the Hawaiian Islands, indicates that “its refinement to the mind” will take a few more years, Kornev said.
"Impact defeat"
The United States began the development of SM-3 in the first half of the 2000s after the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty of 1972. To test the missiles, an automated complex was built near the Redstone-Arsenal base in Alabama. In order to establish mass production, Raytheon has expanded its production capacity.
The key feature of the rocket is the kinetic method of interception, known in the USA as the hit to kill principle. Its essence lies in the fact that it is not equipped with a warhead anti-missile hits the target. As Knutov explained, the SM-3 at high speed crashes into an object, from which “metallic dust” remains after the collision.
- Launch of SM-3 antimissiles near Hawaii
- Reuters
- © US Navy
According to the expert, the Americans began to use this method of interception after they unsuccessfully used the Patriot anti-aircraft missiles in Iraq.
“They were equipped with a high-explosive warhead. In order to bring down the Soviet "Scud" (ballistic missile R-17. - RT ), the Americans needed about 10 missiles. Intercepting outdated Soviet missiles proved to be expensive and ineffective, ”Knutov said.
According to the Pentagon’s fiscal bid for fiscal year 2020, the US military plans to purchase 54 SM-3 Block IIA. To date, various modifications of the SM-3 and the anti-missiles of the previous generation SM-2 are included in the arsenal of ground-based complexes, Tikonderoga-type cruisers and destroyers of the Arleigh Burke class, equipped with the combat information and control system Aegis.
According to Kornev, the SM-3 is being improved primarily for the needs of the fleet. Ammunition Tikonderoga is up to 122 missiles, Arleigh Burke - up to 96.
“There are high hopes for the SM-3 Block IIA. Its main advantage is in the homing head, which is able to receive target designation from various sources. If the tests are completed successfully, then on the SM-3 Block IIA all ships using Aegis will probably be re-equipped. Also, obviously, the rocket will be exported, ”the expert stressed.
As Kornev notes, with all the merits the SM-3 Block IIA will not be able to fulfill its main function - effectively intercepting Russian ICBMs. The interviewee does not see in the newest American rocket a significant threat to the shock capabilities of the Russian nuclear triad.
In turn, Knutov holds a slightly different point of view. According to the expert, the SM-3 Block IIA is capable of intercepting on the accelerating section the domestic ICBMs of self-propelled Topol complexes, as well as the mine systems of the previous generation - the R-36M Satan and the UR-100N UTTH (PC-18). However, the latest PC-24 Yars and RS-28 Sarmat missiles will be virtually invulnerable.
“The SM-3 Block IIA does not have the characteristics for intercepting maneuvering targets and missiles with a short acceleration range. For this reason, Raytheon's brainchild is powerless against Yars and Sarmatian. To defeat one of the latest Russian ICBM will require dozens of US antimissiles. At that moment, when the SM-3 Block IIA begins to massively enter the troops, the regiments of the Strategic Missile Forces will be equipped with weapons of a new generation, ”concluded Knutov.