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| Activity title | Radar against Hypersonic Threats | Activity Reference | SET-296 | Panel | SET | Security Classification | Other | Status | Active | Activity type | RTG | Start date | 2021-04-14T00:00:00Z | End date | 2025-04-14T00:00:00Z | Keywords | Holistic Radar Solutions, Hypersonic Missiles, Layered Integrated Counter Hypersonic, Radar, Radar Networks, SET | Background | The two main categories of hypersonic missile threats are Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs). The first of these missile types, HGVs, are launched by rockets into the upper atmosphere and released at altitudes between about 50 km and 100 km. After their release form the carrier, they glide to their target by skipping along the upper atmosphere. The second type, HCMs, could be launched from the ground, from aircraft, from ships, or from submarines. HCMs are powered all the way to their target and are propelled by rocket boosters or scramjet variants.
Hypersonic missile threats represent a game-changing military technology. Specifically, a hypersonic threat can travel at between approximately 5,000 and 25,000 km/hour, they fly at unusual altitudes of between tens-of-kilometres to in excess of 100 km, their manoeuvrability enables them to evade even the most sophisticated layered missile defence infrastructures. Their speed, unusual altitudes and manoeuvrability combine to render hypersonic missiles extremely elusive to detect and to intercept. A hypersonic strike would unfold more rapidly than a conventional strike and would significantly compress the timelines for an attacked party to respond.
Hypersonic research is conducted by nations with highly developed R&D capabilities and adequate financial resources including the US, Australia, Russia, China, Europe and India. As adversaries push the boundaries of contested areas with advanced air defense systems, hypersonic pose a threat to even the most modern air-defence infrastructure. | Objectives | The principal scientific objectives of the proposed group will be to evaluate contender radar technologies capable of detecting hypersonic threats at long range, capable of queuing more accurate radars for threat detection at mid-phase and finally the queuing of intercept-guidance sensors for threat interception. Hypersonic missile defence requires a layered implementation of radar and other sensor technologies. This SET proposes to concentrate on relevant radar technologies and to perform a feasibility study that will form the basis of further research in this domain.
The research task group should bring together different stakeholders (Space Experts, Military Operators and Users) as well as experts from different fields of research to discuss recent developments and future requirements to counter Hypersonic Threats.
In contrast to previous activities within NATO STO, the focus of the proposed activity should not be on the specific properties of individual systems such as Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) or Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM) but on the sensor requirements for the detection and defence against such threats. The aim is to develop requirements for different types of radar systems that can be used in a layered constellation to enhance allied capabilities to detect and intercept hypersonic missiles. Solutions could, for example, comprise long range and Over-the-Horizon radar for the launch phase, a combination of active and passive radar sensors together with agile and high-resolution / high-sensitivity AESA radar for tracking of missiles and fire-control during the engagement with adequate countermeasures. | Topics | • Evaluation of long-range radars such as Skywave OTHR and Skywave Line-of-Sight (LoS) for the detection of hypersonic threats at long range.
• RCS analysis of hypersonic threat platforms over a wide frequency range including HF, VHF, UHF, L-Band, S-Band, and X-Band.
• Analysis of the threat RCS enhancement as the HCM traverses different layers of the troposphere and ionosphere.
• Demonstration of radar resource queuing.
• Feasibility study of the use of multistatic and networked radar.
• Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar
• Airborne and Spaceborne Early Warning and Control Radar
• Passive Radar
• Radar and Multi-Sensor Networks | | Contact Panel Office |
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