Translated material
Rocket to rocket
Rivalry between Russia and the United States in the field of missile defense is intensifying
A Russian short-range anti-missile missile successfully hit a conditional target at the specified time yesterday. The test launch from the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan was carried out by a joint combat crew of the Strategic Missile Forces and the Space Forces. The rocket is not new - since 1983, this is already the 43rd launch of a product of this type. The current launch was aimed at confirming the tactical and technical characteristics of anti-missiles and extending their service life, since there is no talk of new anti-missiles yet.During the launch, the performance of the restored and modernized equipment of the firing complex and the measuring equipment of the range was assessed. In addition, the commander of the Space Forces, which includes the missile defense system, Colonel General Vladimir Popovkin, reassured taxpayers by saying that “scientific and development work is underway within the framework of the Aerospace Defense Concept approved by the President of Russia.”
The headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces asserts that the composition and technical characteristics of the Russian missile defense system “make it possible to fend off the threat of a possible use of a nuclear missile strike, increase the threshold of a nuclear response, and increase the survivability of objects at the highest levels of control that make decisions on response actions.” The previous launch of an anti-missile missile of this class took place on October 11 this year.
There is a kind of correspondence competition between Russia and the United States in missile defense systems. On October 28, the Americans successfully tested one of the main components of the Taad national missile defense system being developed over the Pacific Ocean. The anti-missile destroyed the target, which was a Soviet-made Scud ballistic missile launched from a floating platform.
Prior to this, the United States conducted test launches in January, April and June of this year. According to the calculations of the American military, the Thaad, which intercepts enemy warheads at the last minute of their approach to the target, should ensure protection of important objects from ballistic missiles of all types. Other components of the US national missile defense system will be interceptor missiles in Alaska, California and Eastern Europe, about which there is serious debate, as well as “laser guns” on Boeing 747s, satellites in low and geostationary orbits, ships with Aegis air defense systems ", anti-aircraft missile systems "Patriot".
The Russian missile defense system for the Moscow region of the second generation A-135 is currently equipped with two types of old missiles - short-range and long-range. Two bases of missile defense silos are located in the near Moscow region. Only once, a representative of the Russian defense industry - general designer of the Fakel design bureau, Vladimir Steklov, spoke about the development of a new missile that can “shoot down any means of attack.” The scientist immediately made a reservation that the capabilities of this rocket and even the name of the complex are classified information. However, the new product, according to the general designer, “will retain its leadership over the coming decades.” Based on the confessions of the parties, we can conclude that the peak of the competition is ahead.
Another country that is testing missile defense systems is Israel. But his Arrow-2s are designed to destroy short-range ballistic missiles. 14 of 16 Israeli tests were successful.
The Sary-Shagan test site, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is “involved” in the development of six anti-missile systems, 12 anti-aircraft missile systems, seven types of anti-missile missiles, 12 types of anti-aircraft guided missiles, 14 types of measuring equipment, 18 radar systems and several systems on new physical principles. Tests of 15 strategic missile systems, about 400 launches of anti-missile missiles, 5.5 thousand launches of anti-aircraft guided missiles, and more than 900 deployments of ballistic missiles were also carried out here. Today, at this training ground, which is leased by Russia, a developed infrastructure and an experimental and testing base have been preserved, which makes it possible to test promising Russian strategic defense weapons.