Defense against Hypersonic Glide Vehicles

@NMaude : Aaah, exactly under 1,5. Hence, when correctly rounded, one second, that for the perigé and apogée

Min and Max dist Earth-Moon in Km: 356 410 and 405 500 km
Speed of Light: 300 000 km/s

(and that's center to center)

;)
 
Forest Green said:
'Stability' has failed to achieve its purpose.


Not going to win a space weapons race against Falcon 9 and New Glenn and a space nuke would be removed immediately as a matter of urgency.
Click to expand...
How are you going to know the difference between a nuke and any other satellite? A W68 is relatively small. Could almost be stuffed on as an afterthought on some satellites.
 
Sferrin said:
How are you going to know the difference between a nuke and any other satellite? A W68 is relatively small. Could almost be stuffed on as an afterthought on some satellites.
Click to expand...
Talking about Russian nukes here, radiation detection plus intelligence sources.
 
The complexity of orbital ABM is beginning to show…people are talking about preemptive strikes on satellites already. Governments will likely have these same arguments and reach different conclusions about the viability and stability of such deployments. Such a system has the potential to spark the conflict it attempts to deter. This is what I mean when I say it is inherently destabilizing.

There probably is no other choice but to develop such capabilities and minimally be in a position to deploy them, but actual large scale deployment would probably have consequences beyond financial cost depending on peer capabilities and intent.
 
Forest Green said:
Talking about Russian nukes here, radiation detection plus intelligence sources.
Click to expand...
On scale of current satellite deployment, gamma ray detection seems like a staggeringly large task for a nation like the U.S. or PRC and an impossibly for anyone else.

On the flip side, once a country orbits a nuke, there is basically no way to ensure it is not eventually detected, with all the political fallout that entails.
 
Josh_TN said:
On scale of current satellite deployment, gamma ray detection seems like a staggeringly large task for a nation like the U.S. or PRC and an impossibly for anyone else.

On the flip side, once a country orbits a nuke, there is basically no way to ensure it is not eventually detected, with all the political fallout that entails.
Click to expand...
The cost of a nuke is prohibitive, with estimates around $100m each (plus fairly large launch costs since Russia doesn't have RLVs), compared with US launches which are now $500/kg and falling. So I'm confident that nuke detection capabilities will outstrip nuke launch capabilities by several orders of magnitude.

Josh_TN said:
The complexity of orbital ABM is beginning to show…people are talking about preemptive strikes on satellites already. Governments will likely have these same arguments and reach different conclusions about the viability and stability of such deployments. Such a system has the potential to spark the conflict it attempts to deter. This is what I mean when I say it is inherently destabilizing.

There probably is no other choice but to develop such capabilities and minimally be in a position to deploy them, but actual large scale deployment would probably have consequences beyond financial cost depending on peer capabilities and intent.
Click to expand...
There's also talk of conventional S2G warheads on satellites to deter such strikes, although if an SBI can take down an ICBM, it can take down an ASAT missile.
 
TomcatViP said:
Light travels from moon to earth in a matter of a single second. Far fetched but why wouldn't that be not relevant to have a laser gunning down high value objects from there?
Click to expand...
I did the math a while back, effective range of a laser is determined by mirror radius and beam wavelength. A Hubble-sized pointer mirror (and diffraction-limited optics) only gives a couple hundred km range against a 1m^2 target with IR lasers.




Forest Green said:
There's also talk of conventional S2G warheads on satellites to deter such strikes, although if an SBI can take down an ICBM, it can take down an ASAT missile.
Click to expand...
S2G warheads are for dealing with laser or HPMW attacks.
 
Scott Kenny said:
S2G warheads are for dealing with laser or HPMW attacks.
Click to expand...
They're to deal with any ground-based object that causes a threat, or any aerial one after it has landed. Although given that SBIs will be both endo- and exo-, there's nothing to say that aerial threats can't be taken out too, and space-based ones can be taken out by the exo- SBIs.
 
Scott Kenny said:
I did the math a while back, effective range of a laser is determined by mirror radius and beam wavelength. A Hubble-sized pointer mirror (and diffraction-limited optics) only gives a couple hundred km range against a 1m^2 target with IR lasers.
Click to expand...

Those Math are probably wrong or not relevant to the problem at stake. ;)
 
TomcatViP said:
Those Math are probably wrong or not relevant to the problem at stake. ;)
Click to expand...
They didn't look right to me, either, but the math is assembled the same way you put together standard firearm effective range.

Note that you're still doing damage well past that, it's just that your pointing accuracy and optical path accuracy makes a cone that eventually will exceed the size of the target.
 

Space Force to solicit prototype proposals for midcourse space-based missile interceptors​

breakingdefense.com

Space Force to solicit prototype proposals for midcourse space-based missile interceptors - Breaking Defense

Other than stating that the call is for hit-to-kill rather than directed-energy systems for shooting down adversary missiles during their orbital flight trajectory, the notice is lacking technical detail.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com

DOD eyes midcourse defense Space-Based Interceptor, reaching for 'low-hanging' fruit​

DOD eyes midcourse defense Space-Based Interceptor, reaching for 'low-hanging' fruit | InsideDefense.com

The Defense Department is preparing to solicit industry proposals for a prototype space-based interceptor, taking a concrete step toward what experts say is the most achievable slice of an otherwise costly and technically daunting vision for a space-based missile defense layer: midcourse kinetic...
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
Last edited:

MDA picks over 1,000 initial winners for Golden Dome contracting vehicle​

In total, the agency is providing awards to 1,014 "qualifying offerors" for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program, under deals that could eventually total $151 billion over 10 years.
breakingdefense.com

MDA picks over 1,000 initial winners for Golden Dome contracting vehicle - Breaking Defense

In total, the agency is providing awards to 1,014 "qualifying offerors" for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program, under deals that could eventually total $151 billion over 10 years.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com
 

Poll finds increasing support for international engagement, Golden Dome spending​

breakingdefense.com

Poll finds increasing support for international engagement, Golden Dome spending - Breaking Defense

“Majorities want the United States to take the lead in international affairs, believe American military superiority is essential, and support a force sized to deter and, if necessary, win conflicts against more than one major adversary at a time,” said a summary of the annual Ronald Reagan...
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com
 

Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge​

www.airandspaceforces.com

Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge

The Golden Dome air and missile defense shield will have some “operational capability” in 2028, Space Force Gen. Michael A. Guetlein said.
www.airandspaceforces.com www.airandspaceforces.com

U.S. to stand up patchwork of 'mini domes' in 2028 as Golden Dome expands to cover nation​

U.S. to stand up patchwork of 'mini domes' in 2028 as Golden Dome expands to cover nation | InsideDefense.com

SIMI VALLEY, CA -- The Pentagon's top missile defense official said the United States will not wait for a full national shield before fielding its new Golden Dome defense system but will begin rolling out a patchwork of "mini domes" in 2028 that will expand over time to cover the entire homeland.
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com

Pentagon executing Golden Dome contracts by piggybacking on existing procurement vehicles​

Pentagon executing Golden Dome contracts by piggybacking on existing procurement vehicles | InsideDefense.com

SIMI VALLEY -- The Pentagon has begun issuing Golden Dome contracts by leaning heavily on the military's existing acquisition machinery, Golden Dome director Gen. Michael Guetlein said in his first detailed public description of how the department is spending the $25 billion Congress provided...
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
Last edited:
Momentus joins US Space Force SHIELD contract vehicle
www.spacewar.com

Momentus joins US Space Force SHIELD contract vehicle

San Jose, CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2025 - Momentus Inc. has been selected to participate in the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract
www.spacewar.com
 

Space Force wants advanced tech for space-based interceptors​

www.defensenews.com

Space Force wants advanced tech for space-based interceptors

The U.S. Space Force is looking for advanced technologies for space-based interceptors that can intercept ballistic missiles during their boost phase.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com
The U.S. Space Force is looking for advanced technologies for space-based interceptors that can intercept ballistic missiles during their boost phase inside the atmosphere, according to a Small Business Innovation Research solicitation.
Click to expand...
“The desired outcome is to develop and integrate high-G propulsion systems, advanced seekers, and low-SWaP [size, weight and power] interceptors integrated into space vehicles for … SBI [space-based interceptor] architectures that support fast detection-to-intercept timelines,” stated the SBIR solicitation, which opens Jan. 7 and closes Jan. 28.
Click to expand...
The Space Force envisions boost-phase interceptors that can hit missiles at an altitude of less than 120 kilometers, or about 75 miles or less, above the Earth’s surface. Intercept time should be less than 180 seconds.
Click to expand...
Propulsion for the new interceptor should enable high thrust, plus rapid acceleration to at least 6 kilometers, or nearly 4 miles, per second.
Click to expand...
“Desired characteristics include dual-pulse or throttleable motors, high-grain solid or hybrid propellants, and thrust vector control,” the SBIR specified.

Other features include fast shutdown and reignition of the rocket motors, and improved specific impulse for more efficient thrust.
Click to expand...
The service also wants to increase the probability of a kill by fitting the interceptors with multiple sensors.
Click to expand...
The interceptors should also be small, easy to manufacture at scale and capable of being fired from constellations of orbital launch platforms that would allow continuous coverage over specific terrestrial regions below. Because they will be descending rapidly from space into the atmosphere, they will also need strong thermal protection.

“Successful solutions will also consider survivability under extreme conditions experienced during atmospheric re-entry including the extreme temperatures from aero-thermal heating,” the Space Force noted.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
That´s exactly what we were given to see in that now infamous Northop add:

capture-x-37-northrop-png.789036



screenshot-2025-10-22-163841-png.789037



See here
 
The Space Force envisions boost-phase interceptors that can hit missiles at an altitude of less than 120 kilometers, or about 75 miles or less, above the Earth’s surface. Intercept time should be less than 180 seconds.
Click to expand...
Propulsion for the new interceptor should enable high thrust, plus rapid acceleration to at least 6 kilometers, or nearly 4 miles, per second.
Click to expand...
“Desired characteristics include dual-pulse or throttleable motors, high-grain solid or hybrid propellants, and thrust vector control,” the SBIR specified.
Click to expand...

Cha-ching. $$$$$
 
I need more details about the speed. Because at 200km altitude for the interceptor, the garage is doing nearly 8kps!

I'm thinking polar orbits over the ICBM fields, and/or orbits inclined to match approach vectors from the main fields.

Every garage will require both missile interceptors and RFGs to respond to anyone trying to screw with the satellites from the ground.
 
TomcatViP said:
Entire relevant portion of the NG add in slow motion here:
Click to expand...
It does appear to be a boost phase intercept but it doesn't seem shaped for re-entry as per the endo-interceptor spec. though.

VanHerck calls for FAA-Pentagon radar integration as Golden Dome takes shape​

| InsideDefense.com

insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
 
Last edited:

MDA adds 1,086 firms to its SHIELD pool for Golden Dome-related tech​

breakingdefense.com

MDA adds 1,086 firms to its SHIELD pool for Golden Dome-related tech - Breaking Defense

With the new awards, a total of 2,100 firms have been qualified by the Missile Defense Agency to compete for future SHIELD tech development contracts.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com

SDA awards four contracts worth $3.5B for next-gen missile tracking satellites​

breakingdefense.com

SDA awards four contracts worth $3.5B for next-gen missile tracking satellites - Breaking Defense

Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab USA, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies each won awards to "deliver and operate 18 space vehicles" for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 3 Tracking Layer.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com

SDA Hands Out $3.5B for 72 New Missile Tracking and Defense Satellites​

www.airandspaceforces.com

SDA Hands Out $3.5B for 72 New Missile Tracking Satellites

SDA awarded $3.5 billion in new contracts for the next iteration of its advanced missile warning, tracking, and defense constellation.
www.airandspaceforces.com www.airandspaceforces.com

SDA expands Tracking Layer satellite awards and related missile defense contracts​

www.spacewar.com

SDA expands Tracking Layer satellite awards and related missile defense contracts

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 19, 2025 - The Space Development Agency has selected four contractor teams to build and operate 72 Tracking Layer satellites for Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture in low Earth orbit,
www.spacewar.com
 
Last edited:
Forest Green said:

Pentagon tasked to outline proposal for accelerating Golden Dome development​

Pentagon tasked to outline proposal for accelerating Golden Dome development | InsideDefense.com

Congress has ordered the Pentagon to deliver by June a sweeping assessment of the feasibility of accelerating the development and deployment of major elements and programs comprising the Golden Dome next-generation air and missile defense architecture.
insidedefense.com insidedefense.com
Click to expand...

It will be fun to watch Hegseth drink his way around that…
 

MDA Space wins role in US SHIELD missile defense program​

www.spacewar.com

MDA Space wins role in US SHIELD missile defense program

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 09, 2026 - MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) reports it has received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Missile Defense Agency for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered D
www.spacewar.com
 

SpaceX to launch next SDA missile tracking satellites​

SpaceX will launch 36 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites — 18 built by L3Harris and 18 built by Lockheed Martin — plus eight FOO Fighter birds built by Millennium Space Systems.
breakingdefense.com

SpaceX to launch next SDA missile tracking satellites - Breaking Defense

SpaceX will launch 36 Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellites — 18 built by L3Harris and 18 built by Lockheed Martin — plus eight FOO Fighter birds built by Millennium Space Systems.
breakingdefense.com breakingdefense.com
 
A new generation of missiles are being developed, apparently with interchangeable parts, to conduct air, missile defense and hypersonic strike in a single weapon.

www.navalnews.com

New US Navy Missile to Support Hypersonic Strike, Air Defense Roles - Naval News

The U.S. Navy’s next-generation of missiles are set to support hypersonic strike and long-range offensive counter air missions.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

The relevant bit:

According to Trinque, the missile will utilize a common third stage interceptor alongside differing combinations of propulsion stacks to create variants of the missile that can conduct hypersonic strike roles and various air and missile defense missions.
Click to expand...
I have no idea what "third stage interceptor" means. Do they mean warhead perhaps? Common warhead but different propellant stacks?

Apparently this is the replacement for the SM family.
 
Reddington777 said:
I have no idea what "third stage interceptor" means. Do they mean warhead perhaps? Common warhead but different propellant stacks?

Apparently this is the replacement for the SM family.
Click to expand...
I'm reading that as it's a fully staging weapon related to how the SM3 stacks.

Booster, first Stage, second stage, and the terminal weapon is the third stage.

Booster plus terminal "third stage" for short to medium range air defense.

Booster and first stage plus "third stage" for long range air defense.

Booster, first, and second stage plus "third stage" for hypersonics and exoatmo antimissile.
 
Reddington777 said:
A new generation of missiles are being developed, apparently with interchangeable parts, to conduct air, missile defense and hypersonic strike in a single weapon.

www.navalnews.com

New US Navy Missile to Support Hypersonic Strike, Air Defense Roles - Naval News

The U.S. Navy’s next-generation of missiles are set to support hypersonic strike and long-range offensive counter air missions.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com

The relevant bit:


I have no idea what "third stage interceptor" means. Do they mean warhead perhaps? Common warhead but different propellant stacks?

Apparently this is the replacement for the SM family.
Click to expand...
The article makes it sound like there is a common kill vehicle for different booster stacks that would be single-pack (SM-3 equivalent), dual-pack (PAC-3 MSE equivalent), or quad-pack (PAC-3 equivalent). Once they have the booster stacks, they can put other warheads and guidance packages on for anti-air and anti-surface missions.
 
Last edited:

AST SpaceMobile secures role on MDA SHIELD defense architecture​

www.spacewar.com

AST SpaceMobile secures role on MDA SHIELD defense architecture

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 - AST SpaceMobile has been selected for a prime contract position on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense, or SHIELD, program, placing its space-base
www.spacewar.com
 

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom