Tarnhelm (air defense system)
The Tarnhelm air defense system is a ground-mobile air and missile defense system developed and deployed by the Carthage Defense Forces. It is designed to provide a wide-area defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, ballistic missiles and other aerial threats. It is intended to replace the previous Bascinet air defense system with improved strategic and tactical mobility and expanded capabilities, especially against SEAD and ballistic missile threats. A seaborne variant of the system is in service with the Punic Navy as part of the Stele combat management system.
History
In 1997, the Army of Carthage and the Punic Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop a new air defense system for use both at sea and on land. Primary Navy goals included replacing the SR-150 family of SARH missiles with active terminal guidance, while the Army sought to reduce the number of vehicles and the complexity of its existing Bascinet system by developing a modular "plug-and-flight" architecture. Initial project timelines expected an entry date of 2006, and initial proposals were solicited from defense contractors.
In 1998, refined program requirements called for the development of three missiles to create a tiered defense system ranging from short-range missile threats to intermediate range ballistic missiles. A common processing system would be developed, although due to differing electrical, space, and weight requirements each service would develop separate radar segments. In particular, the Navy had already begun development on the SW/ETS-970-series radar for future surface combatants and was unwilling to develop a new design while the Army found the power requirements of the Navy system unsuitable for ground use.
Tarnhelm program
Out of the six bids received for primary integration work, the Tarnhelm Development Committee selected the bid by the RMA Corporation for further development in 1999. Already the manufacturer of the existing Bascinet system and the largest missile manufacturer in Carthage, RMA had been considered the frontrunner throughout the bidding process.
Two missiles filling the lower segment of the defense system were derived from existing missiles developed by the Air Forces: the SAI-774 Sayaka for the short-range segment, and the SAR-778 Sakura for the medium-range and anti-tactical ballistic missile segment. The final missile developed for the high-altitude, anti-IRBM segment was developed specifically for the Tarnhelm project under the Joint ABM Program, entering service as the SAR-777 Madoka.
In 2003, tests involving the initial electronics fit began at the Sahara Test Range, simulating engagements using different types of missiles and sensors connected to the tactical operations center. Live-fire testing with SAI-774 Sayaka missiles began in 2004, and expanded to include SAR-778 Sakura tests in 2005. The system entered service in 2005 aboard the Elementario-class destroyer CRS Haruka Amami, the first of the Flight IV destroyers.
Development timelines for the Army system had slipped eight months behind schedule due to difficulties with the GW/ETS-980 radar, but the first integrated ground-mobile systems composed of the tactical operations center, mobile radar, and transporter-erector-launcher were delivered to in May 2007. Delivery of the Madoka ABM was delayed until 2009 due to difficulties in seeker development and integration.
Further development
In late 2005, a new contract was expected to be awarded by the Army to develop a close-in defense sub-system for the larger Tarnhelm network capable of defending the launch sites from SEAD strikes by hostile aircraft, a capability the Navy already possessed through the CIWS carried by most warships. This was to consist of a drop-in short-range missile segment designed primarily for use against missiles and UAVs in a self-defense capacity. Following evaluation of the bids, the Army elected to develop the system in-house at the Army Research and Development Establishment, using existing stockpiles of Type-88 missiles with new seekers and off-the-shelf radar sets. The system entered service in 2010.
Tarnhelm Forward
While the base Tarnhelm system is designed for corps-level air defense, the need for a division-level air defense system was identified as early as 1995 but suffered from a lack of funds and development interest, as the Army was more interested in sharing costs with the Navy, which had no interest in a shorter-range, lower-capability system. By 2004, with the Tarnhelm program nearing production, the Army procured funding for the development of a division-level system based on existing components, dubbed Tarnhelm Forward. As a result of budget restrictions, the design and development program was conducted primarily in-house by the Army Technology and Research Directorate (ATRD).
Using existing technologies and available components, development proceeded rapidly and firing tests were conducted beginning in mid-2007, with production approved in late 2009. For improved mobility, the primary system components were mounted variants of the Iliad MMTV family, allowing the system to keep up with mechanized formations in the field. The cut-down system is designed to provide defense against UAVs, helicopters, cruise missiles, smart munitions, and ground-attack aircraft at a range of up to 50–60 kilometers (31–37 mi). It is composed of the GW/ETS-980 multi-function radar, a command vehicle, and multiple transporter-erector-launchers carrying SAI-774 Sayaka or SAR-778 Sakura missiles.
The first systems entered service in mid-2011, with an estimated 400 units planned. Tarnhelm Forward is not part of a standard divisional organization but may be attached to deployed divisions at the discretion of the theater commander in areas where a higher expected threat from shorter-range air threats exists.
Overview
In practical nomenclature, the Tarnhelm system designation most commonly refers to the land-based system operated by the Army, as the naval variant is integrated into the larger Stele combat management system which also manages information from other sensors, including sonar and navigational radar. The system is capable of being networked into a larger formation, allowing divisional commanders to have input over the operations of their air defense network and permitting elements to be temporarily detached and moved to permit a high sustained rate of advance. Each segment possesses both receive and transmit capabilities, allowing the system to be spread over a wide area and precludes the possibility of a single-point failure disabling the network.
Major components
Land-based Tarnhelm components are mounted on WVH-71 10-wheel 16 tonne trucks, improving mobility over the semi-trailer-mounted Bascinet system. Prototype tracked vehicles were tested, but the higher cost of operation as well as the higher weight and correspondingly lower strategic mobility motivated the decision to use wheeled vehicles as the prime movers. The system also eliminates the separate power supplies and generators, instead relying on the engine of each WVH-71 as the primary power supply. All components are designed to be brought into and out of action within ten minutes to minimize vulnerability to retaliation strikes and provide "shoot and scoot" capability.
Naval systems are mounted together in a single ship hull and integrated with the onboard combat systems, removing the need for separate vehicles. In addition, the system is also usually supported by a much larger number of VLS cells per ship compared to the number of missiles per ground battery.
Battle Management and Communications Segment
The Battle Management and Communications Segment (BMCS) is the core of the Tarnhelm system, consisting of the computing and communications equipment required to receive and process signals from attached sensor nodes and transmit firing data to the launch vehicles. The BMCS provides sensor fusion capability across the networked radar elements including improved non-cooperative target recognition and counter-VLO capabilities. The BMCS also serves as the primary communications truck for the battery, and spare vehicles are normally attached to battalion command to provide resilience against enemy strikes. In naval service this information is processed in the operations room while Army systems integrate a compact tactical operations center into the BMCS carrier vehicle.
Multiband Surveillance Radar
The Multiband Surveillance Radar (MSR) integrates two separate antennas in the VHF and L-band wavelengths to provide counter-VLO surveillance and IFF tracking capabilities. This unit is unique to Army Tarnhelm batteries through the GW/ETS-983D radar, as Navy options generally omit the use of the L-band antenna and only cruisers carry VHF antennas. The use of the VHF system is designed to counter stealth targets with less protection against lower wavelengths, while the L-band system provides more precise target tracking and elevation measurement. The use of two antennas on different wavelengths also improves resistance to jamming. The two antennas are mounted back to back on the same mount and are mechanically scanned. The L-band antenna is expected to have a range of up to 500 km (310 mi) against fighter-sized targets.
Volume Surveillance Radar
The Volume Surveillance Radar (VSR) is an S-band system designed to provide 360-degree detection at extended ranges and against highly-maneuverable and low-observable targets. The Navy VSR requirement is fulfilled by the S-band segment of the SW/ETS-970 and -971 radar suites, while the Army requirement is fulfilled by the GW/ETS-981S radar. While the Navy system uses four fixed antennas covering all sectors at once, the Army system uses a single mechanically-rotated array per battery, although the BMCS can incorporate data from other radar sets in the network to provide full coverage similar to the Navy system. Both systems incorporate similar processing elements and identical T/R modules, although the Army design uses a different cooling system and is designed for lower-power operation.
Multifunction Fire Control Radar
The Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR) is the most important sensor in the standard Tarnhelm system, designed to provide more accurate target discrimination and tracking capabilities as well as communication with missiles in flight. The naval MFCR requirement is fulfilled using the X-band segment of the SW/ETS-970 and -971 radars, while land-based systems use the GW/ETS-980 radar. Similar to the VSR, the naval system uses three to four fixed antennas for continuous coverage while the Army unit uses a single mechanically-scanned array. In the absence of a VSR in the network, the MFCR can provide limited volume search capability, albeit with reduced range versus the dedicated VSR and with reduced resources available for target tracking and missile guidance.
Launch Segment
The launch segment is responsible for carrying and launching missiles at the command of the local battery or higher authority. Army WVH-71LVT TELs normally carry 16 SAI-774 Sayaka or SAR-778 Sakura missiles or four of the larger SAR-777 Madoka missiles. A separate reloading vehicle is also used, which lacks the communications systems and electronics to fire its missiles but includes a crane to assist in reloading the launch vehicles. Naval vessels utilize vertical launch systems for storage and launch, and must be reloaded in port.
Missile Segment
The missile segment is composed of the interceptors themselves, carried and launched by the WVH-71LVT transporter-erector-launcher. Three different missiles are used in the main Tarnhelm system, of which two were procured "off the shelf" from existing missiles and the last developed to meet the specific anti-ballistic missile requirements of the Tarnhelm program.
- SAI-774 Sayaka - The SAI-774 is designed to provide short-range defense against agile threats including drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. In addition, the Sayaka has limited use as a counter-RAM platform for short-range defense, although this role is now assumed by the more economical Self-Defense Segment. It is guided by a dual-mode IR and radar seeker, and sixteen missiles can be carried per TEL. Originally developed for the Carthage Air Forces and Punic Navy as an air-to-air missile, the SAI-774 uses a vertical-launch booster and has a maximum range of 34 km (21 mi) from a surface launch.
- SAR-778 Sakura - The SAR-778 provides medium-range interception of aerial threats, including high altitude targets. In addition, its intended role as an anti-radiation missile makes it effective against electronic warfare and airborne early warning and control aircraft. It is equipped with a dual-band active radar seeker, and like the SAI-774 can be quad-packed in the standard launch tubes carried by the WVH-71LVT. Also developed as an air-to-air missile, using a vertical launch booster the missile can achieve a maximum range of 140 km (90 mi).
- SAR-777 Madoka - Developed independently for the Tarnhelm system under the Joint ABM Program, the SAR-777 is a heavy long-range missile with significant anti-air and anti-ballistic missile capabilities. The SAR-777 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles ranging up to the 8,000 km (5,000 mi) category and maneuvering aircraft at ranges up to 600 km (370 mi). The missile is guided via SARH in the boost stages and by an onboard dual-color IR seeker in the terminal phase, and relies on the hit-to-kill HiSKI for effectiveness. Due to the missile's size and weight, only four can be carried per TEL.
Protective Segment
The Protective Segment is designed to provide early warning against incoming anti-radiation missiles and other munitions and provide softkill protection and defense against SEAD operations. It is composed of an onboard radar and radar warning receiver to detect incoming missiles and a countermeasure suite including multiple DRFM decoy emitters, a chaff dispenser, smoke dispenser, and satellite positioning jammer to counter passive homing, millimeter wave, infrared and electro-optic missiles.
The protective segment is a key part of the network and can automatically trigger emitter shutdown if it detects incoming ordnance, in turn activating its suite of decoys to draw the munitions off course. The onboard smoke and chaff dispensers provide protection from millimeter wave seekers by obscuring the target region while the satellite navigation jammers are designed to force incoming ordnance to rely on less accurate inertial navigation. As with other elements, the system is designed to be self-contained and independently mobile, and can be deployed to defend specific sites or emitters from attack.
Warships of the Punic Navy rely on a different set of softkill systems integrated into the ship's combat management system to defend against a larger array of threats, including multi-spectral countermeasures, active decoys, electronic warfare emitters, with added hardkill protection systems (later integrated into the Army system through the Self-Defense Segment).
Additional Components
In addition to the components that make up a standard Tarnhelm battery, additional sensors and capabilities can be added to the network due to its modular nature. Many are only selectively deployed due to cost or mobility constraints.
Theater Missile Defense Radar
The Theater Missile Defense Radar (TMDR) is designed to significantly expand the detection range of the Tarnhelm system versus ballistic missile targets, allowing it to fully utilize the range and capabilities of the SAR-777 Madoka ABM. In order to achieve its published range of up to 1,000 km (600 mi) against ballistic targets, the X-band GW/ETS-982 Farseer is significantly larger than the standard VSR and MFCR units, weighing over 60 tonnes. Due to its size and weight, the system is considered "semi-mobile" and unlike the Tarnhelm system, which can be brought into and out of action in minutes, the GW/ETS-982 Farseer radar requires several hours to emplace or break down for travel and can only be deployed in pre-surveyed sites with clear line-of-sight. It is only deployed to selected theaters where enhanced ballistic missile detection capabilities are determined necessary, and usually with only one or two radar units per theater at most.
The Navy component is the SW/ETS-973 Savant, a large multi-antenna S-band installation used on the Karisimbi-class cruisers. Due to the greater availability of electricity and cooling, the system has a much higher peak power than the GW/ETS-982 Farseer, providing increased range as part of the Navy's anti-ICBM program. Both systems also provide additional detection capability against low-observable aircraft, and hardware/software modifications to improve this capability have been in development.
Self-Defense Segment
The Self-Defense Segment (SDS) is the newest component of Tarnhelm, and is expected to become a standard component of all Army batteries. It is designed to intercept rockets, missiles, and artillery shells within its protective envelope, shielding the larger battery from attempts to suppress it. The system is composed of a compact X-band AESA radar and a 24-cell launcher module for the Affordable Missile Interceptor (AMI) developed from the replaced Type-88 air-to-air missile.
The SDS is an independent node with all components combined into a single TELAR. To reduce costs and hasten development, the SDS uses a number of existing components developed for other programs. The multifunction radar is derived from the AESA radar procured for the Gyrfalcon Evo program and uses a telescoping mast mount to improve coverage versus low-altitude targets. The AMI rounds use the recycled missile bodies, rocket motors, and control systems of the Type-88 SRAAM but with a new low-cost infrared seeker. Plans to substitute these components for similar low-cost alternatives exist in the event stockpiles of the Type-88 are exhausted.
Due to its success, it is expected the SDS may be procured independently for base defense and broader force protection roles. A separate modular system for emplacement in stationary uses is being developed, alongside a networking system to allow several missile batteries to be controlled by one or multiple radar sets within its engagement range. No direct Navy equivalent exists, but the Mark 99 Rolling Airframe Missile is a similar point-defense system also based on the Type-88 SRAAM.
Offboard components
Subsequent software revisions have added compatibility with additional networked elements, including the GAV-32 Cassandra and other modern SHORADS platforms equipped with Network Engagement Capability-compatible software. In this role, the wider reach of the Tarnhelm radar serves an early warning function and allows the SHORADS batteries to prepare for expected engagements, while the forward positions of the SHORAD vehicles can provide advance warning against low-flying cruise missiles.
The Revision 3 software introduced in 2008 adds compatibility with Russian and Inuk air defense radar sets, provided proper communications nodes are in place to provide network bridging features. The Revision 4 software includes compatibility with the GW/EPC-922 multi-function radar used for battlefield surveillance and counter-battery roles, further expanding the number of potential sensors in the network. In addition to modern sensors, the Tarnhelm system is capable of guiding legacy SR-150 and Bascinet-series missiles, as the GW/ETS-980 MFR is capable of providing data link and target illumination services for the older SARH/TVM missiles.
All radar components except the GW/ETS-982 Farseer TMDR have been successfully tested on the Russian 40V6M and 40V6MD semi-mobile masts to expand low-altitude coverage against cruise missiles, but due to the longer time required to bring the battery into and out of action, procurement of mast-mounted sets was cancelled in 2006.
Organization
The standard land-based Tarnhelm system is designed around battalion-level operations in support of a designated corps or division, and is one of the support capabilities not delegated to the brigade level. Each battalion is composed of a headquarters battery, a support battery, and four to six line batteries. In normal operations, most battalions operate just four batteries but these may be supplemented by additional batteries from other undeployed battalions for operations in a high-threat environment.
The launch platoon in each line battery maintains between four to eight TELs, although the battery-level system is capable of networking with and controlling up to twelve TELs. The fire control platoon manages the BMCS tactical operations center, which when emplaced requires only three personnel to operate, while the headquarters platoon manages battery operations. Intercepts are normally coordinated by the networked battalion command and information may be forwarded to divisional or corps command. Control of the air defense network is usually delegated to the Regional Air Defense Commander who has final authority over all intercepts in the designated area of operations.
Each battery is designed to come into and out of action within five minutes, and the networked architecture allows assets such as launchers to be transferred from one BMCS to another. This allows sections of each battery to remain on the move or for batteries with damaged or non-functional assets (such as those sustaining damage from enemy SEAD) keep functional assets contributing to the sector's air defense. This reduces critical points of failure and allows assets from other units or replacements brought from the mainland to be rapidly integrated into the existing network to replace any lost capability.
Tarnhelm battalions are normally organized together into Air Defense Brigades deployed in support of corps-level operations. Each brigade usually contains three Tarnhelm battalions plus a self-defense battalion to supplement local air defenses around high-value targets. Also included are detection assets not normally deployed at the battalion level, such as the GW/ETS-982 Farseer missile defense radar and the GW/ETD-985 multistatic radar system, both designed to supplement coverage against specific types of targets. Individual battalions may be assigned to support division-level operations and may be deployed independently for operations not requiring a corps-level commitment.