Lt Gen (Dr) V K Saxena (Retd), PVSM,AVSM,VSM
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According to a contestation past times Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reported inwards the South mainland People's Republic of China Morning Post (SCPM) on 22 March 18, mainland People's Republic of China has provided Islamic Republic of Pakistan a highly advanced Optical Tracking as well as Measurement System which volition hold upward a boon to its missile programmei. This article attempts to examine, the touching as well as implication of the higher upward sale alongside reference to India. Factual Details
Broad System constituents
The highly sophisticated tracking arrangement is commonly referred to equally Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS). This arrangement is capable of taking precision images of a missile trajectory from launch till the end. The image trail which is on a continuous thread, is of extremely high resolution as well as lends itself to presentation on the digital media inwards a diverseness of moving-picture present formats, inwards existent time. Also, since the entire thread is digitally recorded the same is preserved for review at a afterwards fourth dimension past times analysts as well as provides such mutual features equally rewind, fast forward, pause, zoom in/out as well as more.
To hold upward able to practice the higher upward tasks, the EOTS, reportedly consists of a centralised figurer controlled arrangement driving electro-optical trackers that follow the missile inwards flight. This meat is supported past times powerful devices similar the 24-hour interval as well as nighttime high speed high resolution cameras, infra-red detectors, Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation attain finders, gyros as well as supporting electronics. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 unique characteristic of this arrangement is, that the optical trackers are fed past times 4 unlike telescope units which is to a greater extent than than the norm (normally an EOTS has i or 2 telescopes). In club to meet the arrangement inwards its relevant context, a word almost ballistic missiles is essential.
Ballistic Missile Dynamics
A typical long attain ballistic missile has for certain identifiable stages inwards its trajectory. The initiative of all is the launch stage. It is a stage where the missile is lifted from its seat of ease as well as propelled to a high speed inwards a really brusque time. The propellant unit of measurement (driving as well as accelerating component) providing the initial boost is called booster motor (engine) as well as the stage is called boost phase. In this phase, the missile is propelled alongside tremendous acceleration to a high velocity as well as a condom height (the peak velocity of the entire trajectory is achieved inwards the boost stage (also called powered phase). At a pre-designated speed as well as altitude, when the booster motor has spent itself, it is commonly detached from the chief missile as well as the missile completes its residual trajectory inwards a ballistic way alongside the momentum achieved therefore far.
In longer attain missiles, the boost stage is 2 stage event, wherein exactly before the booster motor is exhausted, some other propellant unit of measurement called a sustainer motor is fired which continues to might as well as accelerate the missile further, till the missile attains its peak velocity. Boost stage is followed past times the post-boost stage (a stage shortly after the powered flying of the missile is over). In this phase, whatever terminal infinitesimal changes to the trajectory, if any, are made, as well as decoys etc. are released, this stage is followed past times the mid-course stage which represents most of the flying path of the missile. The terminal stage is the terminal stage when the warhead approaches the target. The actual 24-hour interval of the month lawsuit is referred to equally the halt gameii.
In longer attain missiles, at that spot is some other of import characteristic called the re-entry. Long attain missiles inwards their flying path expire out of the earth's atmosphere as well as rest at that spot for most of their post boost as well as mid-course path, thereby achieving longer ranges due to no air resistance. Close to the terminal phase, these missiles re-enter the atmosphere. Re-entry is a non bad challenge, equally missiles at re-entry confront temperatures inwards the share of thousands of marking celsius due to atmospheric drag as well as aerodynamic heating (maximum temperatures are estimated at exactly about 3200 Kelvin or almost 2900 degrees Ciii). This rut tin effort the re-entry vehicle to completely respite upward as well as disintegrate as well as fifty-fifty explode. Special engineering tools similar construction strengthening, aerodynamic shaping, ablative paints, as well as more, are used to withstand the re-entry phase.
Also, most of the conventional ballistic missiles commonly ship unitary orbitary warhead. However, at that spot is some other type of warhead configuration that is referred to equally Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs). MIRV warhead payload consists of several warheads (conventional or thermonuclear) which equally the raise suggests, are capable of beingness aimed independently (each warhead follows an independently programmed trajectory). This aim tin either hold upward directed at unlike targets or at the same target, or a combination of targets. MIRV is a niche engineering surface area as well as entirely 6 countries, namely, USA, UK, Russia, France, State of Israel as well as mainland People's Republic of China possess it. iv
Use of Tracking System
With this picayune brief on ballistic missile dynamics, it tin hold upward appreciated that the missile trajectory from the launch to the halt game constitutes a complex catamenia of events unfolding at tremendous speed (several multiplications of the ‘Mach’ value - the speed of sound) as well as inwards a brusque fourth dimension frame of a few fleeting minutes. To observe mensurate as well as analyse these events is a huge technological challenge.
It is obvious that to prepare long attain missiles, precise measuring as well as analysis of many such events is a must. Events that teach executed inwards a thing of seconds are to hold upward brought dorsum recreated as well as played as well as re-played in i lawsuit again as well as in i lawsuit again lending themselves to repeated observation as well as analysis. EOTS address this challenge. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 typical listing of such events (though far from comprehensive) may include the next events:-
• The launch event, to include fourth dimension sequence leading to launch, the performance of the booster motor, the charge per unit of measurement as well as quantum of modify inwards missile speed, acceleration as well as height alongside observe to time, etc.
• Booster separation: precise fourth dimension events leading to the human activity of separation similar deployment of command surfaces or panels, readiness of auto pilot, momentum delivered to the missile etc.
• Measurements inwards the post-boost as well as mid-course stage inwards damage of adherence to the predicted flying path, precise instant as well as human activity of deployment of decoys.
• Terminal phase, leading to the all of import re-entry stage, multiple warheads surviving the aerodynamic stresses as well as rut of re-entry, the procedure of arming the warheads (if non completed earlier) as well as the origin of their independently programmed trajectories, leading upward to the halt game.
The EOTS is so deployed equally to electronically as well as optically observe the entire missile trajectory as well as tape it alongside high resolution as well as precision. Events as well as acts equally are desired to hold upward analysed past times engineers as well as scientists are as well as so played as well as re-played alongside associated statistics to generate the type of inputs required past times experts inwards a host of tasks such equally proving the prototypes, checking that a matured arrangement truly behaved equally designed or fault diagnostics of failed or sub-optimal events. This is what an ETOS is used for.
Impact as well as Implications
For analysing the touching as well as implication of this sale, a peep within the missile arsenal of Republic of Republic of India as well as Islamic Republic of Pakistan volition hold upward required.
The Agni serial of Indian long attain missiles capable of carrying the conventional equally good equally nuclear warheads (assessed Indian belongings is 110-120 warheadsv) accept had a tremendous run inwards their contribution towards edifice the Credible Nuclear Deterrence (CND) equally enshrined inwards our nuclear doctrine anchored on the No First Use (NFU) strategy.
The journeying started alongside Agni 1, a engineering demonstrator alongside a attain of 700-1250 km as well as capable of 1000 kg conventional or a nuclear warhead. Rising to the demands of CND, came the Agni II alongside a attain capability of 2000-3500 km. Around this fourth dimension (1999-2000), dawned the era of smaller yield nuclear weapons that demanded high accuracy of delivery to hold upward effective (accuracy is measured inwards damage of Circular Error of Probability (CEP). It is defined equally the radius of a circle, centred on the hateful whose boundary is expected to include the landing points of 50 per centum of all the warheadsvi). Answering this demand came Agni III alongside a attain capability of (3500-5000 km) as well as a CEP of twoscore m. This CEP gave Agni III the distinction of beingness the most accurate Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) inwards the world inwards its attain as well as class.
Agni IV alongside a attain of 3600-4000 km followed equally a prime number version of Agni II, adding pull to CND. It was equipped alongside a niche engineering of Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) for precise measuring of angular rotation. Talking of technology, the game changer missile was Agni V that that was credited alongside many state-of-the-art features. The most creditable was to attain a canister configuration for a missile of attain 5000-8000 km therefore making it route mobile. RLG as well as Accelerometer for sub-meter CEP, utilization of maraging steel for superior pull are a few of many other firsts. The latest successful examine firing of Agni V was on eighteen January, 2018vii.
As nosotros motility ahead inwards fourth dimension nosotros meet on the horizon Agni VI alongside a hope of novel technologies similar precision navigation, MIRV capability, sub-meter CEP as well as more.
Pakistan has also had a really successful run of their surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) inwards providing delivery way for their conventional equally good equally nuclear warheads (assessed at 120-130 but of smaller yield as well as hand than Indiaviii). Starting alongside Hatf I (a word important deadly vengeance) of fourscore km range, Islamic Republic of Pakistan has inwards its SSM arsenal, Hatf II Abdali (Range 200 km named after 18th Century Afghan conqueror), Hatf III Ghaznavi (range 300 km named after the invader Mohd. Ghaznavi), Hatf IV Shaheen 1 (Range 700 km, Shaheen important death), Hatf V Ghauri (Range 1500 km), Hatf VI Shaheen II (Range 2500 km), Hatf VII Babur (range 700 km), Hatf VIII (Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), Range 350 km), Hatf IX Nasr (quick reaction shoot as well as scoot missile ideal for launching Tactical nuclear Weapons or TNW).
The higher upward details imply that Pakistan’s SSMs are capable of delivering conventional equally good equally nuclear warheads as well as accept the attain as well as hand to comprehend the entire Indian landmass as well as beyond. Following other points are noteworthy:-
• Besides the warheads as well as delivery means, the other 2 pillars of strategic capability contributing to CND, namely, the command as well as command aspects as well as the plain infrastructures, are also reported past times the opened upward source to hold upward inwards place.
• In club to play the nuclear blackmail alongside Republic of Republic of India (but hold it below the threshold of attracting punitive nuclear retaliation) as well as nether its garb, demeanor nasty acts of terrorism, Islamic Republic of Pakistan has reportedly developed the lower yield nuclear weapons (TNW) which are capable of beingness carried accurately past times Nasr tactical ballistic missile having multiple tubes for launching several TNWs together (test fired on July 5, 1917) ix.
• While Republic of Republic of India is withal some distance away from MIRV capability, Islamic Republic of Pakistan seems to hold upward closer to the same. It is reported that Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been developing the missile called Ababeel (range 2200 km) which is said to hold upward capable of carrying the MIRV warheadx.
In the low-cal of the aforesaid, the sale of advanced Tracking System could accept the next impact:-
1. It volition greatly assist Islamic Republic of Pakistan inwards testing as well as perfecting its ballistic missile arsenal for higher ranges, reaches as well as accuracies. In this, of exceptional relevance is Ababeel whose operationalisation may hold upward hastened alongside the induction of the said tracking system.Talking of Ababeel, the logic of 4 telescopes inwards the EOTS nether give-and-take also sits inwards house considering the requirement of independently tracking, measuring as well as analysing the MIRV payloads as well as their independent trajectories.
2. The induction of this capability volition give a quantum saltation to Islamic Republic of Pakistan inwards its capability to examine as well as perfect SSMs inwards general.
3. It is a stair past times mainland People's Republic of China to continuously ratchet upward the SSM threat to India, This fourth dimension through its ‘all conditions friend’ past times opening some other window of threat from the western front.
4. In an unprecedented as well as a rare gesture of initiative of all going through alongside the sale of such a sensitive equipment to a unusual buyer, as well as secondly, making it public, mainland People's Republic of China has attempted to send a strategic message to Republic of Republic of India unopen on the heels of the launch of Agni V (18 January, 2018) .
As regards implications for India, the next is stated:-
1. SSMs practice non counter adversary's SSMs, it is the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability that counters the adversary's ballistic missile threat. In that, it becomes imperative for Republic of Republic of India to hasten upward the operationalisation of its BMD capability inwards 'Programme AD'.
Following specific actions are required:-
• The BMD arrangement must at in i lawsuit motility from scientists to users as well as expire a utilization of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) equally deployable burn units at the earliest fourth dimension frame.
• In club to brand the BMD capability ‘deliverable’, at that spot is a demand to construct robust as well as survivable infrastructures, fail-proof as well as survivable authorities of codes, as well as authorisations for weapon delivery, duly supported past times several layers of redundant as well as secure communications.
• Keeping the compulsions of NFU, the survivability of actors post the initiative of all bang also needs to hold upward ensured through alternate Command Posts alongside a chain of hierarchy fully defined as well as known to the determination makers.
2. Not equally mindless rat race, but equally a logical construct upward of capability riding on the wheels of progression of technology, ain MIRV capability on board Agni VI must also hold upward pushed to fructification.
End Notes:
i. “China helps Pakistani missile computer program past times providing advanced tracking arrangement – report” at https://www. rt.com/news/news/422052-china-pakistan-missile (accessed on 23 March, 2018).
ii. “Ballistic missile flying phases” at https://www. en.wikipedia.org>wiki>ballistic missile flying phases (Accessed on 23 March, 2018).
iii. “Who holds the height tape for an airplane?: Depends on the category—and on who was watching” at https://www.airspacemag.com>maximum-temperatutres-on -re-entry (Accessed on 25 March, 2018).
iv. https://www.simplydecoded.com. (Accessed on 25 March, 2018). (cannot access the website)
v. https://www.usanews.com/News 1/2018/03/22/china-provides-advanced-tracking-system-for-pakistan.
(Accessed on 25 March, 2018). (Cannot access the website)
vi. https://www.britannica.com>cep. (Accessed on 25 March, 2018). (need the total reference..link is non correct)
vii. https://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com. india-successfully-test-fire- nuclear-capable-agniv missile. (Accessed on 25 March, 2018). (there are 2 links given here. Plz inquire the writer which is the relevant one)
viii. iv ibid
ix. “Pakistan successfully examine fires short-range ballistic missile Nasr” at https;//www.indianexpress.com>pakistan-successfully-test-fires-nasr-shot-range-ballistic-missile-nasr, (Accessed on 25 March, 2018).
x. “Does Pakistan’s Ababeel Medium Range Ballistic Missile Really Have MIRV Capability?” at https://www.delhidefencereview.com>does-pakistan's-ababeel-really-have-mikrv-capability? (Accessed on 25 March, 2018).
(Views expressed are of the writer as well as practice non necessarily reverberate the views of the VIF)Image Source: https://sputniknews.com/military/201607201043363315-russia-china-joint-m...
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