The Pentagon plans to accelerate the pace of modernization of the missile defense system in connection with new threats.

In particular, we are talking about the key element of missile defense - the Command and Control System, Combat Management and Communication (C2BMC).

This is stated in a request for information from the US Missile Defense Agency, which RT got acquainted with.

As noted in the US Department of Defense, the C2BMC operating system supports the potential of a multi-level missile defense system, allowing a comprehensive response to weapons of all ranges and at all phases of flight, including ballistic missiles equipped with missile defense penetration means, as well as hypersonic warheads and cruise missiles ...

With its help, the command can plan missile defense operations, collectively monitor the progress of the battle, and control network sensors and weapons systems.

C2BMC connects Patriot, THAAD, Aegis complexes, AN / TPY-2 radar, space-based infrared system (SBIRS) and others

.


The document notes that historically, the modernization of the C2BMC occurs sequentially, at each stage new functionality is added, designed primarily for protection against ballistic missiles.

It takes 24 to 36 months to prepare new C2BMC components, followed by a testing period. 

However, according to the American military, now it is necessary to accelerate this process in connection with the new developments of the "opponents".

“In recent years, the enemy has been rapidly developing new complex and promising means of destruction, including hypersonic gliding warheads, as well as supersonic, subsonic and hypersonic highly maneuverable cruise missiles.

In this regard, there is a need to accelerate the pace of development of C2BMC in order to maintain superiority in the face of promising weapons that pose a threat on our territory and in the areas of regional missions, ”the document says.

Based on this, the US Missile Defense Agency is looking for suggestions and ideas on how to quickly improve the C2BMC.

At the same time, it is noted that the acceleration of the pace should not affect the performance of the missile defense as a whole.

“The C2BMC, central to a missile defense system, must be able to creatively develop, improve, integrate and test new technologies in an operational and reliable manner to support the most advanced defense system.

In addition, being an integrating element of the missile defense system, it must also respond to the development of sensors and weapon systems of the common system, ”the request says.

It is assumed that the future architecture of the C2BMC will not only accept new missile defense elements as they are introduced, but also ensure interoperability with allied forces, the Ministry of Defense said.

  • US serviceman

  • Gettyimages.ru

  • © Milan_Jovic

New missions for missile defense

As Vadim Kozyulin, head of the Center for Global Studies and International Relations of the IAMP of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy, explained in a conversation with RT, the US intention to improve the missile defense system is a consequence of the appearance of hypersonic weapons in the world.

“The US missile attack warning system includes various sensors tuned to ballistic targets.

The computer can calculate the trajectory of the missiles and understand where they will fall.

However, the emergence of hypersonic weapons is changing the balance of power.

To detect it, you need other means.

The missile defense system faces other technical challenges, ”he said.

At the same time, according to Kozyulin, the reason for the acceleration of the modernization of the American missile defense forces was the hypersonic devices developed in Russia.

Andrei Koshkin, a member of the Academy of Military Sciences, shares his point of view.

He noted that the existing US missile defense system is not capable of neutralizing hypersonic weapons.

“There are missiles that are almost impossible to catch up with those missiles that the United States has in service.

So today their anti-missile defense fence is "full of holes" and is not an effective means of protection, "concluded Koshkin.

Contrived "threat"

In the United States, the United States has previously repeatedly stated about "threats" from Russia in connection with hypersonic weapons.

For example, American General Glen Van Hirk believes that such technologies challenge the warning systems at the disposal of the US Department of Defense.

“In December 2019, Russia deployed for the first time in the world two ICBMs equipped with hypersonic gliding units that will challenge our ability to provide attack warnings and assessments,” he said during a congressional hearing.

And according to the former and.

about.

US Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modley, hypersonic systems "force" the United States to keep its forces "further and further" from the so-called first and second island defense lines in the Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Russia began developing hypersonic weapons after Washington pulled out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.

“We had to create this weapon in response to the deployment of a strategic missile defense system by the United States, which in the future would be capable of actually neutralizing, zeroing out all our nuclear potential,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in September 2020.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin

  • RIA News

  • © Alexey Druzhinin

He added that for several years Moscow had been trying to negotiate with its overseas colleagues on the termination of work on a strategic missile defense system, but the attempts were unsuccessful.

After that, Russia began to create new weapons.

Breakthrough developments of the Russian Federation include the Avangard hypersonic complex, the X-47M2 Dagger aviation complex, the Zircon sea-based hypersonic munition, the Poseidon nuclear powered underwater robotic drone, and the Burevestnik cruise missile of unlimited range.

At the same time, the Russian authorities have repeatedly stressed that they intend to use new technologies exclusively to ensure the country's security.

“We are not going to fight with anyone.

We are going to create conditions so that no one would think to fight with us.

So that it would not occur to anyone, ”the head of state assured.

As Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in February, various-based hypersonic systems will form the backbone of the non-nuclear deterrent force.

According to military expert Viktor Litovkin, Russia primarily seeks to maintain its defense capability.

“The United States withdrew from the ABM Treaty to ensure its invulnerability and gain a military advantage over Russia and other countries.

Naturally, we could not allow the United States to have a decisive military advantage over us, because we know what this leads to, "the interlocutor of RT summed up.