What is Exoatmospheric Interception?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the news?

Israel successfully intercepted an Iranian missile outside Earth’s atmosphere using an Exoatmospheric kill vehicle.

Israel’s multi-layered air defence system, including Iron Dome, The Arrow, and David’s Sling, was activated in anticipation of the attack.

IRON DOME: The short-range Iron Dome air defence system was built to intercept the kind of rockets fired by the Hamas in Gaza. Developed by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with US backing, it became operational in 2011. Each truck-towed unit fires radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range threats like rockets, mortars and drones in mid-air.
ARROW: The long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 system, developed by Israel with an Iranian missile threat in mind, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the earth’s atmosphere, using a detachable warhead that collides with the target. It operates at an altitude that allows for the safe dispersal of any non-conventional warheads.
DAVID’S SLING: This mid-range system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles fired from 100 km to 200 km away. Developed and manufactured jointly by Israel’s state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the U.S. Raytheon Co, David’s Sling is also designed to intercept aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.

Exoatmospheric missiles, or anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs), operate beyond Earth’s atmosphere to intercept incoming ballistic missiles.
They employ advanced sensors and guidance systems to detect, track, and destroy targets in space.
Kinetic kill vehicles, like the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), rely on high-speed collisions to neutralize threats.
It travels at hypersonic speed.

The EKV uses a solid rocket booster to propel itself into space.
Advanced sensors and onboard computers identify and track incoming threats.
Precise maneuvering allows the missile to navigate towards the target.
Impact from a high-speed collision eliminates the threat without traditional warheads, enhancing speed and accuracy.

[2018] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?

(a) An Israeli radar system

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

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