Efforts are being made to revive the idea of boost phase intercept as another layer Israel should use against the threat of long-range ballistic missiles.
Like in the defense against rockets, there are two groups – one that says that rocket interceptors are the answer and a second one that has been advocating the laser as a rocket killer.
When it seemed that the laser option has been buried forever, in recent months it has been put again on the table, with efforts to overcome the technical hurdles.
The same process happens now with relation to the boost phase intercept (BPI). In July 2018, American Lawmakers voted to require the Defense Department to begin developing a space-based ballistic missile defense interceptor layer regardless of whether a forthcoming review of missile defense policy recommends such an action and despite long-standing concerns about the financial costs and strategic risks of space-based defenses.
This move has encouraged the Israeli supports of BPI to try and revive the effort. In 1993 Israel began the planning of a concept that will use a long endurance UAS armed with modified air-air missiles, to hit ballistic missiles seconds after launch.
The Israeli Boost Intercept System was dubbed (IBIS), and the missile was called the Missile Optimized Anti-Ballistic (MOAB).
According to foreign sources, the UAS design was completed by IAI and was dubbed HA-10, and was designed to cruise at altitudes of up to 9.5 miles.
The same reports talked about equipping the UAS with an advanced IR sensor, to locate the heat generated by the ballistic missile’s engine in the first seconds after ignition.
The reports at that time also said that the UAS is planned to have a 24 hours endurance and a carrying capability of 2200 pounds.
After Israel abandoned the BPI concept , it began developing its Arrow ballistic missiles interceptors.
Recently, as happened with the proposed laser weapon against rockets, the idea is back in the air.
It is easy to understate the “sex appeal” of boost phase intercept. The heat of the launch is easy to detect and the missile’s payload can be positively destroyed and even inflict damage to the enemy.
In a document prepared by the arms control association in 2000, boost phase intercept is compared to the weather “everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it”.
According to the advocates of BPI, it has many advantages over midcourse intercept. They say that while in midcourse the interceptor has to hit a small, relatively cool warhead that is traveling quickly, when using BPI, the target is large, hot and climbing slowly. It also they say solves the problem of dealing with multiple warheads.
As expected, people in Israel that have been involved in developing the current multi layered defense systems against ballistic missiles are against BPI.
Uzi Rubin, former head of the Israel missile defense directorate in the ministry of defense, that BPI Is simply nonsense “in order to use BPI you have to be close to the site from where the missiles are launched and at the right time. This is portrayed as a magic solution, but it won’t work”.
Arie Hertzog, another former head of this directorate, also said that the BPI is something that is not applicable to the potential ballistic missiles on Israel.
As expected, the advocates of a laser weapon that will “burn” rockets, are also enthusiastic advocates of BPI. Brig. General (ret.) Zvi Shur, a member of the “Home Front Shield” nonprofit organization, who is trying to promote the laser solution, said that the BPI can be the best solution for the growing threat. “We think that two converted passenger aircraft, equipped with powerful lasers can function as the first line of protection when intelligence points to possible ballistic missiles launch. A fleet of five such aircraft, carrying lasers will enable two to be in the air near the launch sites. This of course if there is intelligence reports that missiles are being prepared for launch”
It seems now that the BPI is far, very far from becoming an actual program. But one thing is sure – Israel is looking for more defense layers against the Iranian ballistic missiles threat. In such situation, ideas that seem to many as unrealistic, may become very realistic, by using building blocks Israel has.
By Arie Egozi
Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL laid the keel for the second improved Tarlac-class Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) intended for the…
Vietjet has been recognized as the ‘Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline’ and ‘Best Low-Cost Airline Onboard Hospitality’ for 2024 by AirlineRatings.com,…
Sikorsky is conducting flight tests to mature the control laws and aerodynamics of a novel vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed…
CAE Defense & Security has been awarded a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to support the MQ-9B…
Leading aerospace companies are collaborating to evaluate technical issues regarding the compatibility of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with airplane…
Turkish defence major Aselsan's backlog increased to a record high US$ 11.1 Billion, according to the company's 2024 first quarter…
Aura Aero and Airbus Protect have signed a cooperation agreement in view of the certification of ERA, the next regional…
GE Aerospace has announced that Patrick de Castelbajac will join the company as Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 24. He…
STS Aviation Services, a division of STS Aviation Group and a global provider of aircraft MRO solutions, has acquired UK-based…
Leonardo and partners from the passenger transport sector in Europe and Asia have announced new progress in introducing modern rotorcraft…
MRO company Bird Aviation and easyJet have announced a contract extension for another two years. The renewed contract encompasses a…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed durability testing for the 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine, which is being considered…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is bringing its latest state-of-the-art solutions in air defense, radars, loitering munitions, UAVs, and electronic warfare…
Canada has awarded a contract for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program to SkyAlyne. The initiative, set to last 25…
ACIA Aero Leasing (ACIA) has delivered two ATR 72-212 Large Cargo Door (ATR 72 LCD) freighters to leading Australian FIFO…
Fincantieri NexTech, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, and CAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) for collaboration in…
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore (TSIB) has issued its Preliminary Investigation findings of the SQ321 incident, which took…
The HIS consortium comprising of of Helsing GmbH and Schönhofer Sales and Engineering GmbH (SSE), a 100% subsidiary of Rohde…
Israel-based Roboteam, developer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned platforms for defence and security missions, has announced today an initial purchase…
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) recently completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) of BAE System’s Eagle Passive Active Warning…
Rheinmetall will showcase many of its capabilities, including the Air defence system Skyranger 30, at the upcoming aerospace trade fair…
Satys Cabin will supply lavatory assemblies for German OEM Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco. In August 2023, Deutsche Aircraft commissioned Satys Cabin…
Revenue at Denmark's largest defense company, Terma, has grown by 17% compared to last year. Profit before tax has increased…
SITA on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Materna IPS, a company that is involved in passenger handling for airports and…
AirFi has announced that its AirFi LEO low-Earth orbit in-flight connectivity will be installed on 50 aircraft during the first…
Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, has started testing new technologies to support automatic taxiing and enhance pilot assistance…
KNDS Deutschland and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) are presenting AGM on Piranha Heavy Mission Carrier at the Future…
Airbus Helicopters, LCI, a leading aviation company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL), have announced an order for…
Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), AHQ Group and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to discuss…
Iberia will be launching the new Airbus A321XLR, as it will receive the first A321XLR on the market by the…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.