Cruise Missile Defense Hits the USA’s Political Radar Screen
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As “The Hunt for the Affordable Weapon(TM)” noted:
“Just as anti-ballistic missile technology is developing itself for the coming age of the rogue state, America’s nets are slowly being drawn up against the cruise missile threat from those states… and one day, of less-than-states. Persistent surveillance is reaching beyond the limitations of aircraft, and into constant surveillance using lighter-then-air platforms like JLENS tethered aerostats, HAA airships with huge flexible IRIS radars, and even Navy blimps. Fighters are being fitted with AESA radars as the cost of T/R modules drops, and interlocking land and naval defenses include SM-2/3 missiles, mobile SLAMRAAM and MEADS missile launchers, and longer-range systems like THAAD that can be used against air-breathing threats in a pinch. All this is being networked into a single net via developments like Cooperative Engagement Capability, and more. In time, logic will also demand investments like very long-range supersonic ramjet air-air missiles to extend the intercept circle of patrolling aerial platforms, or threaten key enemy assets like AWACS and tankers behind the front lines. All this and more lies ahead, born of necessity in America – and beyond.”
Now the USA’s House Appropriations Committee has mandated both classified and unclassified reports covering domestic cruise missile defense capabilities, their deployment, and their integration into the ballistic missile defense system (BMDS). Aviation Week reports that the Senate has concurred with this language in negotiations, which is likely to place more weight behind, and scrutiny upon, the programs named above. Read Aerospace Daily & Defense Report’s “Attention Turning To Cruise Missiles Defense” for more.
