Return to Home
go to "Digest", contents,
go to next chapter
Proposed Air Defense Artillery Systems
NIKE X ANTIMISSILE MISSILE SYSTEM
The Nike X antimissile missile system, a highly advanced defense against ICBM's
and shorter range ballistic missiles such as those launched from submarines, is the
only missile system of this type under development in the free world. The Department
of Defense has accorded the Nike X development program a very high priority.
The system is designed to operate under a variety of attack situations, including
those involving multiple ICBM's and ICBM penetration aids, such as decoys and
countermeasures. It will be capable of engaging a number of targets simultaneously.
The Nike X system is unique among Army missile systems from a standpoint of
design as well as function. It will be the first Army system to use phased-array
radars instead of conventional radars. In terms of acceleration, the SPRINT
(Solid-Propellant Rocket INTerceptor) missile (fig 96) used with the system
will have the highest acceleration of any Army guided missile ever developed.
The Nike X system will consist of a control center and a launching site. The control
center is the nerve center of the Nike X operations. At this center will be located the
multifunction array radar(MAR), the system's high-speed digital computers, and a major
part of the complex electrical and electronic equipment necessary to complete an
engagement. At the launching site interceptor missiles will be housed in underground
cells from which they will be fired. Also located at the launching site will be a
missile site radar (MSR). This radar provides a guidance link with interceptor missiles
while en route to their targets. Several launching sites may be associated with one
control center.
Both the MAR and MSR are phased-array radars. Unlike conventional radars with
moving antennas, phased-array radars have relatively few moving parts. Scanning is
accomplished by electronic switching which directs, or bends, the radar beams at their
source. Because of the speed at which this electronic switching can be carried out,
the radar virtually can look in every direction at once.
During operation, the MAR will perform the functions of at least three types of
conventional radars. It will perform acquisition, the initial detection and tracking
of a target; discrimination, the investigation of targets to determine which
carry valid warheads and which, if any, are decoys; and target
Figure %. SPRINT missile model.
tracking, the providing of precise tracking information on the target. Discrimination involves
sorting valid warheads from decoys, such as radar reflective materials and dummy warheads
which might be flown with the warhead to confuse the defense. The computer in the system
will analyze the data gathered. Acting on this information, it will automatically conduct
an engagement from the initial detection of a target through discrimination, guidance
of the interceptor missile in night, and detonation of the missile warhesd.
One of the two interceptor missiles, the Nike Zeus (fig 97), has a long-range
capability. It can engage and destroy a target outside the earth's sensible atmosphere.
The high-acceleration SPRINT missile will be used for shorter range intercepts. With
its high-speed digital computers and extremely fast SPRINT missile, the Nike X system
will be capable of killing a target within seconds. In case of a multiple ICBM attack
or an : attack involving decoys, the system will be capable of engaging a number of
targets simultaneously.
Nike X is the fourth-generation Nike missile system., Its roots stretch back
to 1945 whenwork was started on Nikte Ajar which became the Nation's first air
defense artillery missile system. Development of the Nike X system as such began in
January 1963; however, Nike X evolved directly from me Nike Zeus antimissile system which
had been in development aiace 1957. Nilre X will represent a number state-of-the-art
improvements to the Nilre Zeus system.
Figure 97. Nike Zeus missile on R&D launcher.
During its development program, the Nike Zeus system achieved a number of test
ICBM intercepts involving special target vehicles launched by Atlas and Thor I ICBM's.
The intercepts were made by the Nike Zeus system at Kwajalein Atoll in the mid-Pacific.
Nike X components are being tested at several locations throughout the United States.
Outside the continental limits of the country, tests are being carried on at
Kwajalein Atoll. Live firing tests are conmcred at White Sands Missile Range
and Kwajalein Atoll.
The first test version of the MAR is located at White Sands Missile Range
(fig 98), and a later version is scheduled for Kwajalein. Intercept trials, similar
to those conducted with the Nike Zeus system, will be held at Kwajalein Atoll.
Western Electric Company is the prime contractor for the Nike X system.
Bell Telephone Laboratories is responsible for system design and development.
The missile subcontractors are Martin Company, Orlando, Florida, for SPRINT
and Douglas Aircraft Company for Zeus. More than 15,000 firms throughout the
United States are involved in the development program as contractors,
subcontractors, and vendors. A large number of Government agencies are also
contributing to the development program.
Figure 98. MAR I at White Sands Missile Range.
The US Army Air Defense School has been an active participant in the planning for
both Nike Zeus and Nike X. Contributions by the School include preparation of advance
training plans, participation in maintenance and manning study groups, and attendance
at in-process and quarterly reviews.
REDEYE
The Redeye weapon (fig 99) is a man-transportable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude,
air defense system to be used for protection of frontline troops. Redeye, which will
be employed with company-size units, will be capable of engaging a wide variety of
targets to include jets, helicopters, and reconnaissance drones. Engineering and service
tests are nearing completion, with the result that the Redeye weapon will shortly be in
the field.
The Redeye weapon (fig 100) is composed of two basic elements, the missile and the
launcher. The missile comes sealed in the launcher and cannot be removed in the field
except by firing. There are also a shipping and storage container and a test set for
use at depot and ammunition supply points.
Figure 99. Redeye in the field.
Figure 100. Redeye.
The missile, stabilized by spring-loaded fins and steered by spring-loaded,
variable incident wings, has an infrared homing guidance system, a solid-propellant
motor, and a high-explosive warhead. The missile is fired from a launcher (fjg 101)
approximately 4 feet long and 3 inches in diamefer. The Redeye weapon weighs 28.5 pounds.
If will be operated by one man and will require a minimum of organizational maintenance.
Figure 101. Redeye launcher.
The firing procedures are relatively uncomplicated and rapid (fig 102).
After a guide go/no-go check, basically a visual inspection, the gunner is ready
to engage hostile aircraft. On sighting an aircraft, the gunner will identify it
and, if hostile, determine when he can best engage the target. The gunner will track
the hostile target in an optical sight and, at the appropriate time, energize the
missile guidance system. A buzzer located in the tracking scope coves and an indicator
lamp in the tracking scope reticle indicate to the gunner that the infrared seeker
has locked on the infrared radiation (heat energy) being emitted by the aircraft. After
assuring that the target is within range, the gunner fires the missile. When the missile
is fired, a booster charge propels the missile out of the launcher. Once the missile
clears the launcher by a distancesufficient to protect the gunner from blast effect,
the main rocket ignites and pmvides sufficient thrust to propel the missile to the target.
Heat energy generated by the target provides the necessary signal for Redeye homing
guidance. After firing, the gunner can discard the launcher. In a training environment,
the discarded launchers will be collected for reloading. The Redeye weapon is envisioned
to be employed by a two-man firing team which will have its own transportation and
communications.
Figure 102. Redeye firing procedures.
The gunner has a most important function as far as system effectiveness is
concerned; he is the radar, the identification system, and the computer.
He acquires, identifies, and tracks the target; then he fires the missile.
Gunner training will include nomenclature and functioning, maintenance,
aircraft identification, recognition and range estimation, system effectiveness
and limitations, siting requirements, tactics of low-flying aircraft, communications
procedures, Redeye team tactics, command and control, weather and terrain effectiveness,
and safety. This training will be conducted in a 92-hour course. At the end of training,
gunners will participate in a range firing exercise with an estimated one out of every
five gunners firing a live missile. No annual refresher course is planned for Redeye
gunners. Replacement gunners will be trained on a one-for-one basis which will eliminate
transportation requirements to a suitable range area and also build up the number
of qualified Redeye gunners in the field. It has been recommended that qualified
Redeye gunners be identified by an additional MOS digit.
The US Army Air Defense School and other combat arms schools will conduct
orientation training for officers and supervisory personnel. This training will
initially consist of an orientation course prepared by the Air Defense School.
Since actual training cannot be conducted on the tacticalhardware, two training
devices are being developed. One of these is the Redeye weapon simulator, a full-scale
model identical to Redeye in weight, size, positioning of controls, and handling
characteristics.
Infrared tracking capability and sensing capability will be similar. The weapon
simulator duplicates everything except firing a live missile and has a read-out
device to allow an instructor to determine that theoperating sequence has been
followed correctly. The Redeye handling trainer is another available training device.
It contains no complex electronics and will serve as a handling trainer during field
exercises, being less costly and more durable than the electronic trainer.
Due to the large number of targets that will be required for Redeye gunner
training, a mwing target simulator is presently under development. Using this
simulator with the Redeye weapon simulator, the trainee gunner will gain experience
with numerous targets in a variety of environments. This device would also allow
training in an environment that would be unsuitable for actual aircraft flights.
Redeye, coupled with a well-trained gunner, will be an effective and lethal
air defense weapon in the hands of forward combat units.
CHAPARRAL
The Army is currently testing another air defense artillery weapon, the
Chaparral, similar to Redeye but considered merk effective. It consists of a
multiple launcher mounted on a full-tracked vehicle, the armored personnel
carrier XM548, now being used as the carrier for many of the Army's newest
missile systems.
?he launcher turret is of the same design as that used for the famous
multiple caliber .50 machinegun used so effectively against both air and
ground targets during World War II and the Korean conflict.
Four Chaparral missiles are mounted on a launcher. The Chaparral is an
adaptation of the Sidewinder missile which is currently used in an air-to-air
role by the Air Force and Navy.
The Chaparral missile is 9 feet long and 5 inches in diameter and weighs
approximately 150 pounds. In the head of the missile is an infrared seeker
which will track a heat source, such as the engine of an aifcraft. The missile
guidance package uses proportional navigation to guide the missile on a collision
course to intercept and destroy the target aircraft.
The Chaparral gunner sits in the center of the turret behind a plexiglass
shield which protects him from missile back-blast. He has before him a control
panel which indicates the status of each missile on the launcher and provides
him with the necessary controls to activate the missiles, rotate and elevate the
launcher, and fire the missiles.
The Chaparral fire unit is highly mobile, is capable of fast reaction, and
has a high rate Of fire. When fielded, it will provide an important addition to
air defense of the division area.
SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE DEVELOPMENT (SAM-D)
The requirement for an improved surface-to-air missile system developed
during an evaluation of field army air defense conducted by Combat Developments
Command late in
1962. The US Army Air Defense School and Combat Developments Command Air Defense
Agency were represented on the committee which recommended an improved
surface-to-air missile system for defense of the field army.
SAM-D is to be an air defense system capable of defending the field army
against the air-supported threat and tactical ballistic missiles. The system
is to be mobile and capable of engaging several targets simultaneously and
will have a high system reliability factor. SAM-D will give additional assurance
of adequate protection of forces operating with the field army. This extremely
advanced system, which will be mounted in a minimum number of vehicles, is in the
extremely early development stage.
If you have comments or suggestions, Send e-mail
to Ed Thelen
Return to Home
go to "Digest", contents,
go to next chapter
Updated November 5, 1997
(page 84)
(page 85)
(page 86)
(page 87)
(page 88)
(page 89)
(page 90)
(page 91)