Existing USAF (US Air Force) and IDF (Israeli Defense Force) tactical aircraft operating in the Gulf region are equipped with AMRAAM missiles (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles). Can they be used to kill Medium Range Ballistic Missiles in their boost (right after launch) phase? The answer is YES.
The attached note (Reference 1) describes the engagement aspects of Fighter- AMRAAM. This particular study (there are some 50 notes) was for an application to the Ukraine War.
In late 2017, prompted initially by the North Korean demonstration of nuclear weapons and ICBMS. Presentations of the application to defend against missiles launched from North Korea were made to President Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, DDRE, and USAF Chief of Staff and their offices.
The detailed dynamics of that application, in which air superiority over the landmass was not at hand, were explored (in Reference 2).
This operational construct can be used to protect cities and ports (in the Gulf, UAE, Haifa, etc.) as well as ships (commercial, Allied, and US ships) by greatly reducing the ballistic missile threat.
Using this application in the Gulf is much easier than in North Korea due to the air superiority achieved by the Allies over the Persian Gulf of Iran, and shared with the Israeli forces. This application could be ideal for Israeli defense by destroying boosting missiles launched by Iran.
The Israeli Air Force has AMRAAMs and is skilled in missile defense; AIM-120, the missile proposed here, is intimately familiar with the Iranian threat, flies modern aircraft armed with AMRAAMs, and is well-versed in missile defense. The application to Iran is obvious.
- Please review the attached article by Gregory H. Canavan, Robert O. Hunter, Jr., and John C. Browne (10/1/22) ( 27 references).
- VIEW PDF
Summary and Conclusion
• DPRK progress in nuclear weapons and ICBMs rapid
• Fighters, radars, AMRAAM adequate & deployed
– Need test of prompt release, clutter & deployment
– Prompt warning essential, available with aircraft radar
– Immediate warning & track to pilot in all weather
• Pulse Doppler radars detect, track at ≈ 100 km, 10sec
– Issue: current radar detection at low Doppler velocity
• Clutter processing at 4th gen level adequate
– Significant role for 4th gen and Allies
• Stop DPRK development, provide 2-layer defense, preferential
• CONOPS flexible, survivable
• Intercept Gulf & Straits missiles similar DPRK ICBM
– Engage interceptors using fast detection, given fuseing, HE warhead
• Integration& test fast with developed components
*** Comments appreciated.
** Dr. McCall completed an assignment as the Chief Scientist with Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Dr. McCall’s areas of expertise include Lasers, laser-matter interactions, non-linear optics, nuclear weapon science and technology, Plasma physics, Z-pinch physics. explosive modeling and applications, positioning and timing systems, satellite navigation, aircraft navigation, landing systems, and weapon systems.