Barak 8 vs ESSM vs Aster 30

Barak 8 vs ESSM vs Aster 30

ESSM

    Barak 8, ESSM and the Aster missile are the new comers to defend the billion dollar warships from deadly supersonic sea skimming anti shipping missiles. They were not matured to intercept world's finest anti shipping missiles like Brahmos, and it's variants of Russian Yakhnot and Chinese CX 01 when these are fired in salvo mode.Barak 8, ESSM, Aster interceptor missiles systems are developed in the mind to intercept above said missiles, Almost all Navy's around the world has faced the threats. The Israeli's need them to counter the Hezbullah and Syrian Anti shipping missiles like Yakhnot and YJ 8. Europeans need them to defend against Russian Oniks, The Americans need to defend them from all the above plus the Chinese CX 01.

    There is no doubt that, All the above said interceptors can defend the Ship from single missile launches, With the help of Ship's AESA Radar and Interceptor missile's seeker. In comparison all the above has good range of upto some 90 km and interception altitude of some 60,000 feet. Mostly the Yakhnot's will fall into sea skimming altitude when they comes close to 100 kilometers before approaching to the target. As per open sources Brahmos lo lo lo range is 120 kilometers. That means 120 kilometer range in full sea skimming mode.

     There is another issue is detecting the supersonic lo lo lo missiles. It's believed the European Radar's like Selex, Israeli MF STAR and American AN/SPY  has better detection range and multiple target engagement mode. They can detect missiles in Single or salvo mode. Currently US Navy is the only one who tested it's Interceptor missiles against multiple threats simultaneously, with average successful results. All others has proved in theoretical calculations only.

Aster 30

   When a Navy battle occurs against major enemy like China, otherwise Europe against Russia, The rival Ships can fire multiple rounds of Missiles comprising Subsonic and Supersonic, and 130mm main gun shells to confuse the Surveillance Radar and Interceptor missiles. At the meantime the Missiles won't travel at predesignated or calculated path. they can change their altitude and flight path each and every second. Not only that due to supersonic speed they can hit the Ship in seconds. means the Interception party gets very less reaction time. Also there is no confirmation the Radar and missile won't give 100% interception. If barrage of eight Yakhnot variant fired against single target. Then sorry to the Ship, It will not survive. Actually it's bit different from theory to practical when comes to Missile interception.

      Other Side Israeli's are proved them best when shooting down hundred's of Rockets fired by Hamas Terrorists inside from Gaza. There is also less reaction time. Which was a good exercise for the Israeli's to mature their systems. Iron Dome along with his ELM 2084 AESA Radar performed very well during the past IDF vs Hamas clash.  The Iron dome is completely a CRAM- Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar system. which can intercept unguided rockets fired from Gaza. The Hamas from Gaza fires the Rockets over Israeli cities. Hamas typically use the directions and angles to launch the Rockets. Those Rockets are sometimes heavy in size, sometimes it's the tiny Mortar shells. Even though if they landed in populated cities they does make damages.

    Israeli's are proved them as best by countering all such threats who comes towards populated cities. Most Rockets heading to open places didn't get intercepted. During the last war against Hamas Terrorists IDF's Iron Dome Intercepted more than 421 rockets and mortar shells. However more than 2000 others fell over open places harming no one. By looking these breakthrough The Israeli's won't make them fool when developing a interceptor to kill enemy Anti ship missiles. Where one must understand the false alarm rate in the Iron Dome systems in these days.

     Compared to others, Israeli Barak is something more advanced than it's competitors, Barak 8 is the only missile with active radar homing seeker otherwise the infrared seeker, along with two way data link communicated through S Band (2 to 4 GHz ) frequency. With the additional guidance support from MF STAR, Barak 8 can safe guard the Vessel from multiple threats simultaneously. Here Barak 8 has lacks only in speed, all others has double speed than Barak 8.

    Here speed also a main factor, there were two mode of target interception, one is tail chase engagement another is head on engagement. The Tail chase mechanism is best method for interception and has high probability of interception. The ESSM and Aster travels at the speed of mach 4, while Barak 8 is only mach 2. One must understood the mechanism of warship defense is always based on head on engagement, there is no chance of tail chase in such scenario

     As clearly the interceptor missile gets only 90 second to intercept a mach 3 speed Yakhnot variant anti ship missile. Here the missile needs to be nose dive to perform a tail chase engagement, that almost take some 5 seconds. To perform the nosedive the missile must be capable to withstand High gravity force. meantime missile already escaped from the SAM's no escape zone. That's the major reason why the Israeli's won't care about the speed. Since the Interceptor need to perform Head on Engagement. Tail chase's are mostly used for aerial war fighting and to intercept long range subsonic cruise missiles.

Barak 8 Missile

     Here all the Missiles uses the Proximity sensor fused warhead for destroying enemy missiles, By spitting hundreds of fragments. This will further increases the interception probability. Barak 8 will carry 60 kg of warhead, while ESSM carriers 40 kg's of warhead and the Aster 30 carries more than the others. However some 50 kg fragmentation warhead is more than enough to destroy the threat.

    Over all looking it's possible for intercepting a barrage of six-six pair of Supersonic and Subsonic missiles in simultaneous threat engagement. However there is no credibility of Interception when Indian Destroyers and Russian cruisers fired a salvo of sixteen missiles into one target. Typical engagements do happen when full spectrum warfare against US Navy Carrier Battle Group targeting the Aircraft carrier. It's clear the Missiles can taken out the Carrier from Operation However The Ship won't sunk. 

The Lightning Barak 8

The Lightning Barak 8

The Barak 8 Missile

           India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950. Since then India and Israel have enjoyed an extensive economic, military and strategic relationship. Israel is a very major partner for India’s defense industry growth. Israel is India’s third largest weapon supplier just before America and Russia. India recently launched a military satellite for Israel through its Indian Space Research Organization. By 1997, the first weapons deal between the two nations, involving the purchase of Barak 1 vertically-launched surface-to-air (SAM) missiles from Israel was signed. This signaled the start of a long relationship between the two countries. Israel was one of the selected few nations, a group that also included France and Russia, that did not condemn India's 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has serviced several large contracts with the Indian Air Force including the upgrading of the IAF's Russian-made ground attack aircraft.  In 1996 India purchased 32 IAI Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By 2008, Israel surpassed Russia as the largest arms supplier to India. In November 2009 Israel signed a $1.1 billion contract to supply an upgraded tactical Barak 8 air defense system to India.

          The Indian forces a strong need for a capable SAM (Surface to Air Missile) for protecting its defense installations and the naval platforms from Arial attacks. After various studies and with the battle proven Barak 1 in the arsenal the Indian government signed a $ 1.1 billion deal with Israel’s IAI for co-developing Barak 8 with DRDO as an acting partner. IAI and DRDO finally agreed to design an missile based on the Barak 1 platform with advanced technology and range extensions. The resulting missile was named Barak 8, Barak is the Hebrew word for lightning. With air to ground platforms constantly evolving battlefield needs increasing a sound technologically advanced missile was needed to counter the threats. Countries initially invested in SAM’s primarily to take out huge Radar Cross Section (RCS) Fighters. The  F 117 and B 2 did more sorties with lower kill rate. But the old SAM’s were not the answer for the sophisticated cruise missiles , if the counties needed any cover from the Cruise missiles a very sophisticated missile system that is both capable of engaging and shooting down the Cruise missile was need.

            Israel is a country that has been under constant rocket fire from the pro-Palestine forces. Israel has also been under constant watch of Syria and Egypt. Hence the Barak 8 was even more crucial for Israel. Equipped with the Yaknot cruise missile the Syrian and Egyptian forces are always a threat to Israeli Naval ships and off shore installations. With China and Pakistan inching away with Cruise missile technology India signed a deal for co-development of the missile.

          While India provided smokeless motor Israel came up with seeker missile which was ready for integration with high powered MF STAR Radar. The MF STAR radar is a very versatile system that could track objects in a 360’ pattern. The sea skimming missiles are extremely tough to be intercepted but armed with the Seeker technology and the robust MF STAR radar the Barak 8 could easily intercept the threat. The MF STAR Radar is capable of detecting a sea skimming missile at the range of 500 mts to 70 kilo meters. It is rumored that during a secret test off Israeli coast Barak 8 successfully intercepted four Brahmos cruise missile which was fired from Land based Brahmos Battery platform. The hit rate was claimed to be 99 %. The Brahmos was fired in a salvo when the Barak 8 intercepted 4 of the missiles and destroying all the missiles. The dual pulse smokeless motor which was supplied by India turned out to be a grand success. The motors completed all the tests maneuvering during the Interception process. The missile is claimed to have completed a U-Turn while flying at 2 mach.

MR SAM configuration for Indian Army Based on Barak 8

        MF STAR radar was produced in two versions, a smaller version for Frigates and Corvettes. Larger radar was fitted out on destroyers; the MF STAR on the Destroyer is capable of tracking a threat from as far as 500 kilometers. It’s capable of tracking 300 Surface/Air targets at a time and engages 16 targets simultaneously. The Radar can be networked to other smaller platforms radar and firing system and can be used to fire missiles from other smaller firing units hiding the Flag ship.

      Usually missiles launched against a ship are not dropped directly above the ships rather it is fired from a considerable distance. The missiles are usually fired from outside Air defense bubble to evade the detection under a radar system. 
 

         The naval version of Barak 8 was tested in 2009 and with minute up gradations has been time and again test fired. The system has now successfully passed the tests and is under active production. The missile will now be integrated to naval platforms. The first platform will be the Kolkata Class destroyer of the Indian navy. The latest carrier of the Indian navy, Vikramaditya will be fitted out with the Barak 8 systems. In the coming years the Barak 8 will be out fitted as the primary LR-SAM for the Indian Navy.

Land Based Barak 8 Launcher Unit and Missile

        Army is currently using the decade old S 125 as a LR-SAM platform. This system has a interception range of about 35 kilometers. Army is looking for the Indigenous Akash Missile system as a replacement. But with the range of Akash limited the army is looking forward for the Barak-8 which would drastically increase the interception range of the Army. The Army has placed orders for 18 Regiments of Barak 8 system which would be used as a effective MR SAM.

The Air Defense Bubble of the Indian Air Force is limited to only 35 kilometers. With an view to increase their effective Air defense bubble Indian Air Force has opted for the Barak 8 systems.

With the Induction of Barak 8 the Indian armed forces will be armed with decent missile defense Capability which could a long way in intercepting any missiles fired from across the border. 

Editor Karthk Kakoor 

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PJ 10 Brahmos P 800 Yakhnot Oniks CX 01

PJ10 Brahmos P 800 Yakhnot Oniks CX 01

physical Comparison From Top  Brahmos, Yakhnot, CX 01

           Brahmos is the only Best Supersonic Anti Shipping and Strike Missile as of now and It's also impossible to intercept by any kind of Modern Air Defence due to It's low RCS and Flight Altitude. But the birth of Brahmos has a long story. The Brahmos was first Test Fired on  June 2001 second Test fire happens after Three Years.

              Actually the Brahmos version is the same as the Russian Onix Anti Ship Cruise Missile. The DRDO and NPO Mutually agreed to Produce a most advance Version of Onix hence they came up with the Plan Inducting those Advance Version of Anti Shipping Cruise Missiles within their Fleet only. and they named it Brahmos Representing Brahmaputra and Moskva Rivers in India Russia Respectively.

            The Brahmos Physical Appearance is same as the Onix Missile. Till now the Russians using the Onix Anti Shipping cruise missiles in their front line ships. for some other reason the cost of Onix is less than the Brahmos missile which is $2.8 millions per piece. As of now Indian navy Indian Army and the Indian Airforce only use those Brahmos missiles

                 The Indian and Russian counterparts actively researching to improve the Brahmos more deadlier. and adding more difficult paths and Guidance systems improving it's capability and decreasing it's Radar Cross Section (RCS). India currently uses the Brahmos for tri Services for Navy It can perform Anti Shipping role and Land Attack Missions. For Army It uses Land Attack variant of both Block II and Block III. The Brahmos can be fired from  Surface Ships Submarines Land Based Launchers and Fighters.

            The Block II Version have improved Features like target discrimination capability which meant for Moving Strategic Target and uses Trio Navigational system the Block III Version can do Vertical dives to Attack Behind Mountains and Fortified Places. and Both version can carry Armour Piercing or Penetration warheads.

             The Airforce also have a variant of  Brahmos Missile which will be Recently Delivered to the Airforce. which is a Canister based Missile Platform also Brahmos M version and Brahmos Mini version also in Development. Recent News Unveiled that Brahmos M Should be Test fired from Su 30 MKI by March first week.

 

Indian Army Brahmos Block II

Technical Details

       The Brahmos Missile uses two Engines one is a Booster which can lift off the Missile and the Liquid Fueled  Ram jet Brings the Missile into Supersonic Speed.

It can Hit the Target at at the Range of

Lo Lo Lo Mode less than 200 Kilometer

Lo Hi Lo Mode Complete 300 Kilometer 

       The Brahmos uses Navigation Satellites of Combination of US GPS, Russian GLONASS and Indian GAGAN. The Navigation system uses the Brahmos Missile in correct path at hit the Target Accurately  and Uses and onboard Radio seeker to Homs the Target and feed it into the Brahmos computer to correctly Hit the Selected Target.

          Brahmos can carry both Nuclear and Conventional warheads .It can carry Nuclear, Armour Piercing, warheads.

         The Brahmos can Fly as Low as less than 12 feets and Hit the target with 1m of Circular Error Probability (CEP). And It can fly much speed of 3 Mach   

Future

Brahmos M

Typical config of Brahmos in Su 30

     This mean to fire the Brahmos From Su 30 MKI Heavy Fighter. the Range Warhead weight, Speed and Other Technical parameters as same as Land based Versions

Brahmos Mini

          This allows the Other Indian Air Force Fighters Like MiG 29 future MMRCA and Mirage Fighters both carry one Brahmos and the Su 30 can carry three of those

Brahmos II

Model of Brahmos Hypersonic Missile

       Hypersonic version planned  to achieve Hypersonic speed of Nearly 7 mach

        But we can't see the above Properties either the Russian Onix or Exported variant of  Yakhnot or the Chinese Clone Version of CX 01

CX 01

CX 01 Appeared in Zuzhai Airshow

          China Recently revealed it's CX 01 Anti Shipping Cruise missile in Zuzhai Airshow 2015. Whose Physical appearance is as same as the Brahmos Series. either they stole the design from Russia or India or Did the Russians give up. Questions still Sounding.

Lets compare the Brahmos Missile with  P 800/Yakhot/Oniks/CX 01

Block II Version Booster Firing