Para hacer frente a la amenaza de las armas hipers\u00f3nicas, Rusia est\u00e1 desarrollando un sistema de defensa, basado en plataformas a\u00e9reas como sus avanzados cazas MIG 31 equipados con misiles aire – aire de largo alcance, que dispongan de \u201cm\u00faltiples\u201d cabezas de guerra. Una revolucionaria idea, pero tambi\u00e9n un enorme desaf\u00edo tecnol\u00f3gico a alcanzar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ministry of Defense made a fundamental decision to develop for the MiG-31 fighter and the promising MiG-41 a multifunctional long-range interceptor missile system (MPKR DP) capable of hitting hypersonic munitions,\u201d according to state-owned Russian newspaper Izvestia<\/em><\/a>. \u201cTheoretical studies have already been carried out on an ultra-long-range air-to-air missile with a multiple warhead.\u201d<\/p>\n The MiG-31<\/a> (NATO code name: Foxhound) is an air defense interceptor descended from the Cold War MiG-25 Foxbat. The MiG-41<\/a> is reportedly a developmental project to develop a MiG-31 replacement.<\/p>\n Using multiple warheads for missile defense is particularly interesting. Russia appears to be envisioning a single missile that will dispense several sub-missiles that will intercept hypersonic weapons, which travel faster than Mach 5. \u201cAirborne heavy ammunition will deliver a warhead with several modern air-to-air missiles over a distance of several hundred kilometers,\u201d explained Izvestia<\/em>. \u201cThen they will separate from the carrier and begin to search and attack targets on their own. An active homing head with its own radar will help them in this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll warheads will be displayed at a pre-calculated point on the trajectory of a flying munition and attack it in the nose. The use of ultra-long-range missiles will expand the area of \u200b\u200bdestruction of the interceptor.\u201d<\/p>\n The theory seems simple enough: launch enough radar-guided warheads at a hypersonic target, and you\u2019re bound to hit something. \u201cAn ordinary anti-aircraft missile has one warhead,\u201d Russian defense expert Dmitri Kornev told Izvestia<\/em>. \u201cThe probability of a miss on a hypersonic maneuvering target is very high. But if one ammunition carries several homing shells, then the chances of hitting a high-speed object increase significantly.\u201d<\/p>\n The U.S. uses a similar approach for ballistic missile defense<\/a> against ICBMs. Interceptor rockets will launch \u201ckill vehicles\u201d with multiple warheads, each equipped with sensors as well as thrusters for rapid maneuvering.<\/p>\n Which raises a question: if many critics doubt that ballistic missile defense is even feasible<\/a> — \u201clike hitting a bullet with another bullet,\u201d as the saying goes — then what about hypersonic missiles?<\/p>\n Izvestia<\/em> paints a scenario where the process works smoothly. \u201cEspecially effective is the use of the system during aircraft operations as part of a single information space. Aerial targets, cruise or hypersonic missiles can be detected by ground-based radars, early warning radars, or an attack warning system. The fighter will only need to launch an ultra-long-range missile in the desired area. At the same time, the interceptor will not have to risk itself entering into an air battle.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet U.S. ballistic missile tests have experienced numerous failures: President Ronald Reagan\u2019s grandiose vision of a \u201cStar Wars\u201d total missile shield has shrunk to a minimalist defense against a few North Korean ICBMs. Hitting Mach 20 with a warhead is no easy feat, especially when the warheads are accompanied by decoys to confuse anti-missile defenses.<\/p>\n Most likely, if Russia\u2019s MiG-based hypersonic defense works, it will work against tactical hypersonic missiles rather than ICBMs. While Russia claims its Avangard nuclear-armed glider<\/a> has a reported speed of Mach 20-plus, tactical hypersonic missiles such as Russia\u2019s Zircon anti-ship weapon, or a land-based U.S. hypersonic missile which may be fielded by 2023, seem to have speeds of Mach 8 to 10. That\u2019s slower than an ICBM warhead, but still quite fast: unlike ballistic reentry vehicles, hypersonic missiles can also maneuver within the atmosphere to avoid interception. An object streaking through the air at ten times the speed of sound doesn\u2019t leave much time for reaction or detection.<\/p>\n All of which means that merely firing a salvo of air-to-air homing missiles, and hoping that one will hit the target, may be a bit of wishful thinking.<\/p>\n