US: Another step for Global War, Floating Missile Defense Radar Completed

"The Sea-Based X-Band Radar represents a critical step in the continuing development of not only the ground-based midcourse defense, but the other elements of the overall ballistic missile defense system as well, adding increased capability across the board for a layered defense against ballistic missiles of all ranges, during any phase of their flight..."



Building a sea-based X-band radar was not part of the Clinton administration’s missile defense plans. A sea-based radar would have violated the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, which is now no longer in force following the June 13 U.S. withdrawal. (See ACT, July/August 2002.) The ABM Treaty ruled out, among other things, development, testing, and deployment of sea-based components for defenses against strategic ballistic missiles.

"The Sea-Based X-Band Radar represents a critical step in the continuing development of not only the ground-based midcourse defense, but the other elements of the overall ballistic missile defense system as well, adding increased capability across the board for a layered defense against ballistic missiles of all ranges, during any phase of their flight," said Boeing Vice President and General Manager Pat Shanahan. "The addition of such a revolutionary radar capability will also provide increased flexibility for realistic testing in different flight test scenarios."

SBX consists of a highly advanced X-band radar system mounted on a sea-going platform. It will be able to track, discriminate and assess a variety of ballistic missile threats. SBX passes data to elements of the ballistic missile defense system to facilitate the interception of missiles by ground and/or sea-based interceptors. The radar will continue to relay updated targeting information after an interceptor launches its kill vehicle toward the incoming target. Initially, the radar will be used to support both operations and testing of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, which is specifically designed to provide a defense of our homeland against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack.

Sources:

Defence Aerospace

CDI


And Here we have Another Sign of Global Pax Americana - The Bush Doctrine of Pre-emptive Strikes.

This are some Imporant Points of the Bush Doctrine or A New Form of Imperialism.

And in it, the United States for the first time reserved the option to wage a preventive war, also “opening the possibility for American use of nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states”.

What are the Four Core Missions for US Military Forces:

* defend the American homeland;
* fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;
* perform the “constabulary” duties associated with shaping the security environment in critical regions;
* transform U.S. forces to exploit the “revolution in military affairs;”

This one is Probably the First Step for the Future War with China.

It is being worked on again, while towing it out to sea, the tug boats pulled off a few tow eyes. Navy wanted to go ahead with the project, but Coast Gaurd refused to let it out into the gulf of mexico. I belive its about read to leave Ingleside again.

Excellent. Now how exactly is this Pax Americana??? This is a radar. Surely other counties have radars no? Its part of a defensive system right?

From what I read this radar is quite advanced and has tremendous range. I wonder if it could also pick up high flying stealthy aircraft like the B-2? Or satelites that have been stealthed as well??

Does anybody know if the one being built in England is up?

It resembles the old Texas Towers, a Cold War attempt at offshore Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems. Massive steel platforms suspended above the waves by 3 pylons, each with a dish radar inside a more rounded radome than that one. They all collapsed.

Originally posted by watch_the_rocks
It resembles the old Texas Towers, a Cold War attempt at offshore Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems. Massive steel platforms suspended above the waves by 3 pylons, each with a dish radar inside a more rounded radome than that one. They all collapsed.

Modern Marvels did a bit on engineering disasters and talked about one such station that simply broke up and all hands were lost.

Fred, you have to understand. In Souljah's way of thinking, anything we do to insure our survival is a bad thing. Taking a defensive step means that we intend on taking two offensive steps.
Take logic and bend it a bit and you're there!

ABM treaty? Wasn't that with the former Soviet Union? Obviously, with the death of one of the parties, the treaty is null. The treaty was not with the world, nor was it with rogues and renegades who wish ill upon us.

Originally posted by Thomas Crowne
Fred, you have to understand. In Souljah's way of thinking, anything we do to insure our survival is a bad thing. Taking a defensive step means that we intend on taking two offensive steps.
Take logic and bend it a bit and you're there!

I will take out my logic chip and insert it backwards. Ah much better now.

I wonder if there will be a Burke class can or a Tico in close attendance. I did not see anything in the way of defences.

I am sure this Baby is Totally Harmless.

Not!

Makes me Wonder what plans for Future the Bush Doctrines has, so that he has to Order to Build such Powerful Radar, designed to Intercept Multiple Inbound Missiles?

Totally Harmless, I guess...

Gee, let's see here....China has nukes and has threatened to use them, Iran is atttempting to get nukes and I'm sure if they feel threatened won't hesitate to use them, North Korea has nukes and has threatened to use them...No WHY on Earth would we want to have a radar system that could detect missiles coming at us? And the RADAR IS totally harmless. There are no obvious weapons on that platform, just the radar system.

Its quite a set up. It can resolve objects as close as 15 cm. apart

The X-band radar itself, which will sit on top of the floating platform, will be the largest, most sophisticated phased array, electro-mechanically steered X-band radar in the world. It will consist of thousands of antennae driven by transmit/receive (T/R) modules. T/R modules are multi-functional circuits that can transmit, receive, and amplify signals. In the X-band radar, they will provide the full fire control sensor functions for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, including search, acquisition, tracking, discrimination, and kill assessment. The radar will be capable of distinguishing between objects as close as 15 centimeters.
www.missilethreat.com...

Its going to be placed at Adak in the Aleutian Islands. It seems that they considered sites in the CONUS but decided the Aleutians position would give it more time for an intercept. I also wonder if they are going to epand the number of interceptors at Greely and at Vandenberg.??

Good reference for missile defence
Missile Defence Agency

* fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;

Yes with the Bush Doctrine NO WONDER so Many Countries are pointing their Nukes at the USA.

Well a radar system isn't gonna do much harm now will it.
Besides that, the missile defense system will never be able to protect the US from incoming missles 100%.

Here is an excellent article about the missile defense system, from the Scientific American mag: www.sciam.com...

Originally posted by Souljah
* fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;

Yes with the Bush Doctrine NO WONDER so Many Countries are pointing their Nukes at the USA.

That has been the doctrine of the US sicne the Cold War. Bush had NOTHING to do with that. I grew up on military bases, and I ALWAYS heard that we had the forces to win two maor seperate theater wars, and hold our own on a minor one at the same time.

Originally posted by Souljah
* fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars;

Yes with the Bush Doctrine NO WONDER so Many Countries are pointing their Nukes at the USA.

no wonder so many countries are pointing nukes at each other., maybe u should realize the U.S. aint the only nation nukes are heading towards to.

Originally posted by Zaphod58
That has been the doctrine of the US sicne the Cold War. Bush had NOTHING to do with that. I grew up on military bases, and I ALWAYS heard that we had the forces to win two maor seperate theater wars, and hold our own on a minor one at the same time.

Actually the Pentagon has all but admitted it may not be able to carry out such a mission. Now its a major war and a side skirmish.

But coupled with the Radar being built in the UK (If I recall correctly) it should be able to protect from rouge nation missile launches from both Asia and the Middle East.

With the Aegis system you could also create defence in depth and perhaps the Aegis could defend the coastal cities as sort of a backstop as well.

Originally posted by FredT

Originally posted by Zaphod58
That has been the doctrine of the US sicne the Cold War. Bush had NOTHING to do with that. I grew up on military bases, and I ALWAYS heard that we had the forces to win two maor seperate theater wars, and hold our own on a minor one at the same time.

Actually the Pentagon has all but admitted it may not be able to carry out such a mission. Now its a major war and a side skirmish.

But coupled with the Radar being built in the UK (If I recall correctly) it should be able to protect from rouge nation missile launches from both Asia and the Middle East.

SUre, we can't now, but it's also wrong to make it out like Bush was the first one to come up with this policy. This policy was in place LONG before Bush ever even ran for political office.

This is being built on a proven semi-submersible oil platform. I think it will last a while. They will also be able to move it anywhere they want, but chose alaska do to its close proximity to the north pole. If russia/china launch an ICBMs, they are coming over northern canada, not the pacific ocean.

Originally posted by Zaphod58
SUre, we can't now, but it's also wrong to make it out like Bush was the first one to come up with this policy. This policy was in place LONG before Bush ever even ran for political office.

I never critisized Bush for it. its simply a reality of our shrinking force. I doubt highly we could have faught two major battles during the cold war at any rate.

In regards to moving the radar platform, I think it is more defensable where they intend to put it. However as you said above it can be moved. I would not be the least bit surprised if you see a third radar built in say Japan. Its limited by the curvature of the planet. SO a radar closer to say NK would give that much more time to loft more interceptors into the air if the first volley missed. Japan however will no doubt go with the Aegis ABM system on thier Konga class cans. Maybe THAAD as well.

I don't know if NK would do a polar shot or go trans Pacific?? ANybody versed in BM physics know the answer?

I know you never did, but Souljah did, and that's who it was in answer to. personally this is a cool platform and it's nice to see it going live at last.