Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system

About Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system

• A Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system is an advanced network of radars, command centres, and interceptor missiles designed to detect, track, and neutralise incoming ballistic missiles.
• Initiated in: The BMD program was launched in 1999 in the aftermath of Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests.
• Component: It consists of several launch vehicles, specialised long-range radars, Launch Control Centres (LCC), and the Mission Control Centre (MCC).
• Features:
  • Technology: It relies on the indigenous Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR), which was developed using technology derived from the Green Pine radar produced by Israel Aerospace Industries.
  • Dual-Altitude Tiered Architecture: It works on two levels:
    • Endo-atmospheric (within Earth’s atmosphere) and e
    • Exo-atmospheric (the space stretching beyond Earth’s atmosphere).
  • Three Phases: 
    • Phase I: It consists of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle and Advanced Air Defence interceptors, which can engage targets at altitudes of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) and 25 kilometers (15.53 miles), respectively.
    • Phase II: The Phase-II architecture significantly expands the defensive envelope by targeting ballistic missiles within the 5,000-kilometre class, including Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles and selected Intercontinental Ballistic Missile-level threat profiles.
      •  The system comprises two interceptors, AD-1 and AD-2 designed to engage ballistic missile threats in both the endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric phases of flight.
      • AD-1 missile is a long-range interceptor missile designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
      • AD-2 missile is capable of intercepting intermediate-range ballistic missiles (3000-5500 km).
    • Phase III: Phase III will see the development of two new interceptor missiles, which are internally called AD-AH and AD-AM.
      • AD-AH is designed to address the challenges of intercepting hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs), which can maneuver unpredictably and alter their flight path during transit.
      • AD-AM is optimized for countering hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs), which sustain extremely high speeds while operating within the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Significance:
  • It is designed to intercept hypersonic weapons and maneuverable hypersonic glide vehicles that can alter their trajectory during flight.
  • The system is also intended to counter missiles equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
  • By addressing MIRV threats, the system can defend against attacks aimed at multiple targets spread across a wide geographical area using a single missile launch.