THE US DEPARTMENT of Defense's revamped ballistic-missile-defence programme needs $2.8 billion in fiscal year 1997 spending, including $1.8 billion for Theater Missile Defense research and development (R&D).
The spending plan is under attack, however, by US law-makers, who oppose the decision to cut $2 billion from the Lockheed Martin Theater High Altitude Area Defence missile project. The plan emphasises development of defences against short-range theatre-ballistic-missile threats and pushes back production of weapons, which are designed to intercept ballistic missiles at greater distances.
Funding would be boosted for shorter-range weapons such as the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missile and the Medium Extended Air Defence Systems (MEADS) in development.
Improvements to existing air-defence systems include adding a new seeker and warhead fuze to the Patriot PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM). Meanwhile, tests show that a modified TPS-59 radar, combined with the Hawk missile system, is effective against short-range ballistic missiles. Production of the upgraded Hawk and the PAC-2 GEM continue.
The PAC-3 system uses hit-to-kill interceptors. The Pentagon will deploy six PAC-3 battalions instead of nine. It has deferred upgrading the three additional battalions pending completion of the MEADS programme definition/validation. The PAC-3 low-rate initial production is due to begin in the first quarter of FY1998, with initial deployment planned for the fourth quarter of FY1999.
The MEADS, which will replace the Hawk and, ultimately, the Patriot, will provide 360¡ coverage against shorter-range, theatre-class, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles.
France, Germany, Italy and the USA are to sign a memorandum of understanding this month to proceed with MEADS R&D. The Pentagon has added $85 million to the budget over the next five years to fund the US share of the research programme.
The USA and Israel are ready to sign an agreement for the Arrow Deployability Programme, which involves $500 million in R&D spending over the next five years with Israel spending $300 million and the USA $200 million.
Source: Flight International
