Modern Elmo
23rd Aug 2007, 23:05
Ares
A Defense Technology Blog
Advertising/Spam Copyright/Plagiarism Other Comment: (optional) Japan's Raptors on the Radar
Japan's Raptors on the Radar
Posted by David A. Fulghum at 8/1/2007 11:24 AM
The unstated rationale for selling F-22s to Japan is to build a cruise and ballistic missile defense in conjunction with the U.S., say U.S. Air Force and aerospace industry officials. The F-22’s advanced active, electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar is necessary to detect small, stealthy targets in flight or to pick out ballistic missile launchers on the ground. With the idea of insisting on the F-22, but knowing that it may take time to push through the U.S. bureaucracy, Japanese planners have decided to upgrade its F-15J Eagles with AESA radars to extend their operational life. That would at least start laying the foundation for a cruise missile defense of Japan. It will, however, take the F-22’s air-defense evading stealth capability to go after ballistic missile launch sites.
Despite a ban on offensive capabilities, both Japanese and U.S. planners say the only effective ballistic and cruise missile defense of Japan must include the ability to penetrate enemy air defenses to strike missiles before they can be launched. Hawks, Patriots and Aegis air defense ships aren’t enough to stop all the ballistic and low-visibility cruise missiles, military and aerospace industry officials say.
Some of them also contend that non-stealthy aircraft can’t penetrate an integrated air defense if it includes double-digit surface to air missiles like the Russian-designed SA-10, SA-20 and SA-22. ( But why does the a/c have to be manned? – E. ) An air force must at least have the capability to attack the launch sites “to put an offensive ballistic missile capability at risk,” a senior Air Force official involved in the debate says. “You’ve got to get out in front of [cruise and ballistic] missile launches. Otherwise, some are going to get through.”
Japan is now reordering its priorities and will accelerate upgrades of its F-15Js. The 200-odd Eagles ( Betcha didn’t know Japan has that many F-15’s. ) also will stay in service longer, according to a budget plan that is clearly designed to allow the country to later renew its push for F-22s, despite the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s decision last month to maintain the export ban. …
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a49c897fc-b165-4f36-a1c1-9ca89286e819
Israel wants F-22's also, I read. -- Elmo
A Defense Technology Blog
Advertising/Spam Copyright/Plagiarism Other Comment: (optional) Japan's Raptors on the Radar
Japan's Raptors on the Radar
Posted by David A. Fulghum at 8/1/2007 11:24 AM
The unstated rationale for selling F-22s to Japan is to build a cruise and ballistic missile defense in conjunction with the U.S., say U.S. Air Force and aerospace industry officials. The F-22’s advanced active, electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar is necessary to detect small, stealthy targets in flight or to pick out ballistic missile launchers on the ground. With the idea of insisting on the F-22, but knowing that it may take time to push through the U.S. bureaucracy, Japanese planners have decided to upgrade its F-15J Eagles with AESA radars to extend their operational life. That would at least start laying the foundation for a cruise missile defense of Japan. It will, however, take the F-22’s air-defense evading stealth capability to go after ballistic missile launch sites.
Despite a ban on offensive capabilities, both Japanese and U.S. planners say the only effective ballistic and cruise missile defense of Japan must include the ability to penetrate enemy air defenses to strike missiles before they can be launched. Hawks, Patriots and Aegis air defense ships aren’t enough to stop all the ballistic and low-visibility cruise missiles, military and aerospace industry officials say.
Some of them also contend that non-stealthy aircraft can’t penetrate an integrated air defense if it includes double-digit surface to air missiles like the Russian-designed SA-10, SA-20 and SA-22. ( But why does the a/c have to be manned? – E. ) An air force must at least have the capability to attack the launch sites “to put an offensive ballistic missile capability at risk,” a senior Air Force official involved in the debate says. “You’ve got to get out in front of [cruise and ballistic] missile launches. Otherwise, some are going to get through.”
Japan is now reordering its priorities and will accelerate upgrades of its F-15Js. The 200-odd Eagles ( Betcha didn’t know Japan has that many F-15’s. ) also will stay in service longer, according to a budget plan that is clearly designed to allow the country to later renew its push for F-22s, despite the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s decision last month to maintain the export ban. …
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a49c897fc-b165-4f36-a1c1-9ca89286e819
Israel wants F-22's also, I read. -- Elmo