05-25-2023, 08:10 AM
https://www.yahoo.com/news/hypersonic-mi...52672.html
Good article about which type of "hypersonic" missiles actually do pose a significant new threat to existing anti-missile systems. One shortcoming/omission from the article, and almost all such articles, is no discussion of the contribution that can be obtained from AEW aircraft. The systems in orbit the article refers to do have a significant role to play, but the simpler and more easily deployed AEW aircraft are really the key. Their altitude greatly mitigates the effect of the radar horizon, while their persistence greatly mitigates the opposite disadvantage of LEO observers. High altitude drones can also help greatly in the detection of low-flying targets, particularly hypersonic cruise missiles. The drones are however limited in the size of the radar antenna (therefore minimum operating frequency) and transmitter power they can utilize, compared to a Wedgetail (E-3 for the present) or an E-2D with an AN/APY-9. The A-50 Mainstay can in theory do the same, although it hasn't exactly shown well so far in this war.
Good article about which type of "hypersonic" missiles actually do pose a significant new threat to existing anti-missile systems. One shortcoming/omission from the article, and almost all such articles, is no discussion of the contribution that can be obtained from AEW aircraft. The systems in orbit the article refers to do have a significant role to play, but the simpler and more easily deployed AEW aircraft are really the key. Their altitude greatly mitigates the effect of the radar horizon, while their persistence greatly mitigates the opposite disadvantage of LEO observers. High altitude drones can also help greatly in the detection of low-flying targets, particularly hypersonic cruise missiles. The drones are however limited in the size of the radar antenna (therefore minimum operating frequency) and transmitter power they can utilize, compared to a Wedgetail (E-3 for the present) or an E-2D with an AN/APY-9. The A-50 Mainstay can in theory do the same, although it hasn't exactly shown well so far in this war.