Hmm..which `foriegn country' is funding this project ?
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Hmm..`Iron Dome' which un-named foriegn country is funding this project i wonder?
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Skyguard may be rising from the dead
Skyguard may be rising from the dead
By Barak Ravid
The government is considering resuming funding for the advanced laser-based Skyguard missile protection system, security officials told Haaretz. They added that if the system is approved, it can be operational within 18 months.
The project was dropped about a year and a half ago, despite several successful tests and in spite of repeated rocket attacks from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, but Public Security Minister Avi Dichter has been enlisted to spearhead the effort to resurrect Skyguard by a strong lobby group, including former defense ministry officials, that has developed.
To address the threat from Palestinian Qassam rockets, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and then-defense minister Amir Peretz approved the development of an alternative missile-defense system which is based on intercepting rockets rather then laser beams. The missile interceptor, named Iron Dome ("Kipat Barzel" in Hebrew), was to be developed by Rafael, the national authority for the development of weapons and military technology, and completed within three years.
Olmert and Peretz's decision to go ahead with the Iron Dome project was made in conjunction with the Defense Ministry's recommendation to develop the system in Israel, and facilitated by the fact that a foreign country agreed to allocate considerable funds toward developing the system.
However, the pro-Skyguard group argued that Skyguard was nearly completed, requiring minimal further investment to make it operational. They urged Dichter to persuade other decision-makers to approve the resumption of its development in addition to the Iron Dome project. They added that the combination of both systems would yield optimal results.
Supporters of reviving the laser-based project pointed out that it had passed performance tests in the U.S. with flying colors, registering a successful interception rate of nearly 100 percent. Northrop Grumman Space Technology's Skyguard is an advanced derivative model of the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL/Nautilus) project. Initially, the project was launched in 1996 by Israel and the U.S., and was meant to counter Hezbollah's 122mm Katyusha rockets.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/888921.html
Skyguard or related pictures;
http://www.defense-update.com/images/skyguard.jpg
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/systems/thel5.jpg
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/systems/thel2.jpg -
Very interesting, probably SG or India, the 2 most likely candidates.
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Wun be surprised if it's the lion city herself... Budden, surprises do happen...
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We did invest in the Ofeqs..
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Could not agree more Gary. In most cases, India and Singapore are likely suspects.
But why would the Indians need this? They have an entire sub-continent to fall back on and thier capital and key cities and industries are far away from any rocket strikes.
It would seem that the `Iron Dome' would be useful against rocket barrages from short ranges where higher altitudinal surface to air missiles could not counteract because the rockets are fired from close range and fly too low.
The Qassams have a range of 4-17 km while the Katyusha have a max range of >20 km. If Singapore truly partakes in this project, did our military commanders see an insidious threat from the ongoing conflict in Israel?
Or did our military planners see a unique opportunity in influencing the design of a cheap system to counter-act inaccurate rocket barrages leaving our more expensive surface to air missiles to deal with more expensive and accurate cruise missiles and the like ?
Interestingly, Ehud Barak is now in charge and pushing for the system. We have extremely close relations with this `fella.' We co-funded and co-founded the Barak system and it is called the Barak missile system. If you could recall, George Yeo visited Israel not too long ago. His visit was reciprocated by the Israeli deputy prime minister`s (? one of the minister) visit just recently. -
Well our Defence Minister did mention something about interest in missile defence not too long ago right? So it is very likely that we have a hand in this.Originally posted by gary1910:Very interesting, probably SG or India, the 2 most likely candidates.
PS: Here is a hint...think Astros...
More info:
http://www.iiss.org.uk/whats-new/iiss-in-the-press/press-coverage-2006/august-2006/rsaf-may-go-for-anti-missile-shield -
Or maybe its China? They sure have the money to burn these days...
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Not likely to be in this particular sector.Originally posted by CX:Or maybe its China? They sure have the money to burn these days... -
i think they rather pirate itOriginally posted by LazerLordz:Not likely to be in this particular sector. -
My take on the possible 'foreign partners':
China
=> Not very likely unless Tel Aviv want to incur Washigton's wrath again, remember the Harpy incident?
India
=> Possible. But doubt so, the Indians is more interested in anti-ship defences eg improved Barak + deep penetartion weapons into the Chinese heartland.
=> The Skyguard seems to be laser-base, geared towards counter those Katuysha/ Qassam/ Mortar type of rockets.
Singapore
=> Highly Possible. Given the slow proliferation of MLRS systems being introduced into this region Coupled with the terror (or nuisance) effects rained onto densely populated areas.
=> Astros-like MLRS are considered less shophistcated rockets (unguided) whereby one need to fire in salvos to ensure a decent damage to the enemy. Therefore Astros-type arec considered more of a terror-type weapon. Tactical yes, Strategic No. As compared to the US MLRS system, 1 rocket = 1 target or multiple targets.
US
=> Very Possible. Given the mortar-type weapons being encountered by US troops in Iraq, a long-term solution (or mobile) need to be found rather than the current cumbersome Land-based PHALANX.
=> Given the sophistication of the SKYGAUARD, I doubt the Israeli defence industry will support this system indegeoiusly, US components techincal support+ components will play a part here.
But then, the above is my take. -
Originally posted by beavan:i think they rather pirate it
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The Skyguard seems to be laser-base, geared towards counter those Katuysha/ Qassam/ Mortar type of rockets.
The Katuysha and Qassams fly low because they are rudimentary rockets which are launched from less than 20 km away and the flight time is shorter. I do not think that is the case with the Astross rockets. Moreover, it would be unlikely that the Malaysians would put thier Astross within that range since anything within 40 km from Singapore is within tube artillery fire from Singapore.
I am thinking that the SAF (if true) in getting involved in this project wants to distinguish unguided rockets from guided ones which are inherently dangerous. Hence, they are looking for a cheap system to counteract these unguided rockets if they come within our space and the space where our ground forces are occupying. We can leave cruise missiles to more sophisticated and expensive surface to air missiles. It is like you buy S400 missiles to shoot down a mere unguided Astross rocket? What a waste... -
The Thel has indeed been proven to be effective in tests and the `Iron Dome' looks promising. The combination of the two system would be lovely. Hopefully, Singapore gets them. They can form an effective lower tier of protection. And we can invest in longer ranged systems like the Aster-30 SMPT, A400s, Meads, etc for middle and/to upper tier protection.
In the past, we do not need longer ranged surface to air missiles as the 40 km I-hawks and our RSAF interceptors are sufficient. However, the advent of more sophisticated cruise missiles in our region would highly likely change that situation. I am confident that the SAF would be buying an upper tier system not just to stop ballistic missiles(like what Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean says) but other aerial threats as well. -
The US is the one who help Israel develop their Arrow system. I wont be surprise if they open their wallets for this toys either.
Allowing the Israelis to develop these means they dont have to officially fork the $$ out from their defense budget - more for them to spent elsewhere.
Not to mention Iraq + Afghan is mortar haven. They are currently using Phalanx to hit those things.
Not to mention once the US have the Laser tech, X wing fighters will become more of a reality. -
The US is the one who help Israel develop their Arrow system. I wont be surprise if they open their wallets for this toys either.
Possible. But they have never been too shy to declare thier involvement; Arrow, Thel, etc. Neither is Israel too coy to say likewise about the Americans. Cannot say the same about Singapore though -
The F-35 may get a 100kw solidstate laser cannon by 2015..
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R u being serious or is that another gundam-type of post?Originally posted by LazerLordz:The F-35 may get a 100kw solidstate laser cannon by 2015.. -
Northrop Grumman awarded contract to develop truck-mounted laser weapon
Posted: 18 August 2007 0659 hrs
WASHINGTON: Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract on Friday to develop a mobile truck-mounted laser capable of destroying rockets, artillery shells and mortars, the US Army said.
Northrop Grumman will be in competition with Boeing which was awarded a seven million dollar contract to develop a similar higher energy laser that can be mounted on a heavy truck.
The eight million dollar Northrop Grumman contract calls for it to "develop and complete a preliminary design of a rugged beam control system" on a truck.
The contract is part of an army program to demonstrate the feasibility of a tactical mobile high energy laser weapon that can counter rockets, artillery shells and mortars, known as RAM projectiles.
The army program "is maturing the technologies for the integration of a high energy laser into a wheeled tactical platform", Bill Gnacek, the program's manager said in a statement.
"Our main goal is to transition this HEL TD (High Energy Laser Tactical Demonstrator) technology into a formal acquisition program and eventually place in the hands of army commanders an effective lethal capability to counter RAM projectiles," he said.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/294657/1/.html
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Nice... -
I am serious. It was mentioned in the roadmap for future JSF development by the USAF.Originally posted by Shotgun:R u being serious or is that another gundam-type of post?
Exporting it may be another thing altogether.
