What does the US $ 200 billion project include that is capable of stopping the Russian “Satan-2” missile system?

Recently, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile. The RS-28 Sarmat, nicknamed “Satan-2”, is one of six new Russian strategic weapons and was first revealed by President Putin in 2018.

With the appearance of this type of missile, many people wonder how effective the US missile defense system is and how it can protect Washington and NATO in the event of a nuclear war.

The United States began its Strategic Defense Initiative during the Cold War, when fears of a Russian missile attack were at their peak. The US military spent more than $200 billion over the next four decades developing systems capable of targeting incoming missiles.

According to the US Department of Defense’s independent testing office, the country’s missile defense systems have been proven capable of protecting the US against threats posed by intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). ).

The system consists of the following main components:

Ground-based interceptor missile

Defense on the ground is important if you want to protect the country. The system defends by intercepting incoming missiles in space.

According to the US Missile Defense Agency, the system has successfully intercepted 11 times in 19 tests.

The US has at least 44 ground-based interceptors deployed across the country.

Aegis . Ballistic Missile Defense System

This is a missile defense system installed on US Navy ships, however, it can also be adapted to land systems.

The system includes the Standard Missile RIM-161-3 (SM-3), the Standard Missile RIM-174-6 (SM-6) and the Aegis combat system.

Regarded as the world’s most advanced combat system, Aegis works effectively with Navy cruisers and destroyers. It uses modern computers and radars to track and direct weapons towards enemy targets.

Most recently, the US placed a $92.5 million contract to manufacture the Aegis radar and air defense system for the Navy.

The new systems are expected to be operational by the end of 2022 and will be equipped with the AN/SPY-1 radar, MK 99 fire control system, weapon control, command and decision unit, along with different types of long-range missiles.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

THAAD uses ground-based interceptors to counter incoming missiles in the upper part of the atmosphere, even outside the atmosphere.

By April 2019, the system had successfully intercepted 15 incoming missiles during tests.

The US has seven THAAD batteries, three of which are deployed to protect against targets coming from the Pacific.

US arms giant Lockheed Martin has signed a $74 million contract to build more THAAD missiles for the US, after receiving the Aegis contract last month.

The US is also developing air-to-air missile defense systems, capable of targeting missiles as they are in the pre-launch stage.