Posted on 11/21/2002 7:09:17 PM PST by Davea
U.S. to deploy Aegis destroyer to guard Israel from Iraqi Scuds
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, November 21, 2002
The U.S. Navy plans to conduct the first of a series of tests to ensure that its Aegis missile defense system can help protect Israel from an Iraqi Scud attack.
Officials said the Defense Department and the military have launched a program to conduct six tests of the Aegis to develop an emergency deployment sea-based ballistic missile defense against short- to medium-range ballistic missiles. The first test is scheduled for Thursday and will take place in the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. Navy plans to deploy an Aegis-class destroyer in the eastern Mediterranean by January. Officials said the destroyer will participate in an exercise with Israeli air defense and its air force in an effort to bolster missile defense. They said the U.S. destroyer will remain off the Israeli coast to protect against any Iraqi medium-range missiles fired toward Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.
Officials said the navy has completed a series of tests to determine the operability of the Aegis system with other missile defense assets. Israel has already deployed the Arrow-2 medium-tier system and the PAC-2 low-tier system.
"There are no problems with interoperability," a defense official said. "But there are problems with the Aegis radar and its ability to distinguish between a Scud warhead and missile debris. This is a major challenge that the system faces."
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy plan to conduct an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Flight Mission 4 flight test. The test on Thursday involves the firing of a developmental Standard Missile-3 [SM-3] from the Aegis ballistic missile defense cruiser USS Lake Erie, and the launch of a ballistic missile target from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.
Officials said the USS Lake Erie will track the ballistic missile target with the Aegis AN/SPY-1 radar. After a fire control solution is developed, the ship will fire the SM-3 inteceptor against the target in an ascent phase engagement.
The last Aegis test was conducted on June 13 and was deemed the first successful intended intercept by the Aegis. Since then, the project has accelerated its flight-testing objectives and Thursday's test marks the beginning of a six flight test series to develop an emergency deployment sea-based ballistic missile defense against short- to medium-range ballistic missiles.
Raytheon Missile Systems is the prime contractor for the development of the SM-3 Missile. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems manages the development of the Aegis Weapon System installed in Aegis cruisers and destroyers.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/front_2.html
AEGIS TEST MEANT TO BOLSTER ISRAELI MISSILE DEFENSE
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The U.S. Navy plans to conduct the first of a series of tests to ensure that its Aegis missile defense system can help protect Israel from an Iraqi Scud attack.
Officials said the Defense Department and the military have launched a program to conduct six tests of the Aegis to develop an emergency deployment sea-based ballistic missile defense against short- to medium-range ballistic missiles. The first test is scheduled for Thursday and will take place in the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. Navy plans to deploy an Aegis-class destroyer in the eastern Mediterranean by January. Officials said the destroyer will participate in an exercise with Israeli air defense and its air force in an effort to bolster missile defense. They said the U.S. destroyer will remain off the Israeli coast to protect against any Iraqi medium-range missiles fired toward Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.
Officials said the navy has completed a series of tests to determine the operability of the Aegis system with other missile defense assets. Israel has already deployed the Arrow-2 medium-tier system and the PAC-2 low-tier system.
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The interesting tidbit is something you highlited. JANUARY.
I don't think we'll move against Iraq before February at the earliest, and the placement of this ship at that time seems about right.
We will do what it takes to protect them in this war. This ship can do far more than the few Patriot missile batteries we deployed more than a decade ago.
Because we won't be ready before then. Even when we're ready, it won't be for several weeks afterward, because it drives the enemy crazy. They shoot at their own shadows after awhile.
Both "over there". And "on the home front".
Civil Defense needs are probably controlling the timetable. We figure to experience one or more biochemical attacks in the USA once the balloon goes up. We need to be ready for them. Domestic casualties are likely. I pray they will be minimal.
I fear you will be right.
The anthrax scare was not a success for a casualty standpoint--pointing out the problem with most bacterial agents in the antibiotic era.
Smallpox is probably controllable with vaccines. Casualties and panic will occur however.
Viruses may be more difficult--think Ebola and Tom Clancy (?Executive Orders?).
Chemical weapons are another story.
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