Posted on 06/09/2005 4:12:18 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
INGLESIDE, Texas (AP) -- Military officials offered a peek at a new missile-detecting radar that is part of a system some critics have labeled "Son of Star Wars."
Army officers and contractors showed off the Sea-based X-band Radar (SBX) Tuesday.
The radar, which is mounted on a semi-submersible oil-drilling rig, is part of Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), a missile defense system designed to protect the country against incoming warheads.
It looks almost space age with its giant white sphere, which protects an advanced radar that can track a missile across the horizon. The radar provides the information needed to remotely launch U.S. missiles at incoming warheads.
At a cost of $815 million, the radar has yet to be fully tested.
GMD suffered launch failures of ground-based interceptor missiles in December and February. As a result, the Missile Defense Agency has postponed more tests until an independent team can review the system for improvements.
Officials had planned to send the 25-story rig into the Gulf of Mexico before the hurricane season began June 1.
Critics have labeled GMD "Son of Star Wars," after the nickname for former President Reagan's missile defense proposal in 1983.
Despite the criticism, Army Col. Michael Smith, project manager of the X-band radar, said he's optimistic about the performance of the SBX.
"For those of us in the business, we don't have any doubts," Smith said. "I'm positive it will work."
Workers will test the rig's mobility in the Gulf before it travels this summer around South America to its home in Adak, Alaska, Smith said. Because the rig is almost 240 feet wide, it can't travel through the Panama Canal.
A missile-tracking test will be conducted while the rig is en route, somewhere near Hawaii.
---
Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
and Corpus Christi Caller-Times, http://www.caller.com
U.S. to Float Giant Missile-Defense Radar to Alaska
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1374201/posts
Related thread.
The Sea-Based X-Band Radar platform arrives at Kiewit Offshore Services in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 17, 2005. While at Kiewit, the 2,000 ton X-Band Radar (seen directly behind the platform) will be lifted onto the platform later this spring.
Cool!
thanks!
ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO U.S.
More Pictures and Info at:
http://bmdsidc.mda.mil/MDA_Photo_Library/sbx.shtm
Good link! Thanks!
I wonder how they plan to defend this thing, sitting out in the ocean.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
