미 육군, LOWER AD 요격체 시험 발사

미 육군 전투능력개발사령부(CCDC)는 저가 사거리 연장형 대공방어(LOWER AD) 미사일 요격체의 시험 발사를 실시했다고 발표했다.

LOWER AD는 육군의 대공방어 시스템 현대화 로드맵의 일부다.  이 요격체는 아음속 순항미사일과 무인항공기 시스템을 물리치도록 설계되었다. 이 요격체는 MANPADS와 첨단 패트리어트 요격체의 격차를 메울 것이다.

* 미 육군이 2019년 발표한 계층형 대공방어의 Layer 6에 해당합니다.

https://www.army.mil/article/226920/ccdcs_road_map_to_modernizing_the_army_air_and_missile_defense

Layer 6: LOWER-AD (largest dome of protection)

The Patriot missile system is instrumental in protecting forward-deployed forces, friends and allies against incoming air and missile threats. The CCDC Aviation & Missile Center is developing and demonstrating the Low-Cost Extended Range Air Defense (LOWER AD) missile interceptor technology that is smaller and less costly than larger systems. The LOWER AD project will demonstrate critical technologies to defeat subsonic cruise missiles and lethal unmanned aerial systems, leaving the advanced Patriot interceptors for the more stressing threats.

The LOWER AD technology will make it possible to reduce the size of the missile, which in turn will allow more missiles per launcher. Internal components of the LOWER AD missile technology will include improved navigation and a low-cost seeker and warhead, which will maximize its capability to protect defended areas and troops.

LOWER AD will conduct a flight test in fiscal year 2021, using various targets at extended ranges to demonstrate Level 6 maturity of the technology. A flight test with the ballistic test vehicle will be conducted in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 to verify key component performance.