Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: DF-31 long-range strategic missiles
data for: the 60th anniversary of the debut of the long-range conventional missiles

2009 年 10 月 28, published in the latest issue of” British Jane’s Defense Weekly, “published Duncan – Lennox (DuncanLennox) wrote, entitled” Protection of the new satellite space race, “the article, the article said that some countries are seeking and developing anti-satellite weapons and systems to protect space-based assets . The article said that China and the U.S. Russia and the U.S. have a variety of specific anti-satellite approach, China’s new DF-25 and DF-31 can be retrofitted to carry anti-satellite role, if necessary, can cover a range of satellites in geostationary orbit, the article also cited reports that the new JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile is being considered as a possible anti-satellite system.

article first said that since 1959 the United States conducted its first anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test system has been inherited from the development of this work led to some of the “weaponization of space” concerns about the possibility of .

early experiments using a variety of anti-satellite launch vehicles play a role, including changes in the air to air missiles, surface to air missiles, medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) and the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV). This indicates that the anti-satellite weapons can be fired by improving the existing system to be developed in the short term, this is the drafting and implementation of any space treaty is difficult to go on a key factor.

Jane’s article said that since 1985, suspended the anti-satellite experiment for some time. In January 2007 China conducted an anti-satellite intercept test, according to analysts believe that China had improved over the use of DF-21 (or DF-25) medium-range ballistic missiles or improve over the KT-1 rocket for the test , but the actual use of the specific launch vehicle model has yet to be finalized. Chinese anti-satellite test activities will soon follow up the United States, February 2008, the United States over the use of improved standards of -3 (SM-3)-based anti-ballistic missile intercepted an out of control U.S. satellite.

article said, it seems, China, Russia and the U.S. have many options, you can change the existing anti-satellite approach and the development of new anti-satellite system project. China’s ASAT program is considered to have become the “863 Program” (Project863) as part of this statement in 2003, first reported by the United States, reported that in 2007, before the action that successfully intercepted satellite also carried out three tests . As for the three earlier tests are planned over the anti-satellite test is not successful initiatives, is still unknown. But it is believed that China’s new DF-25 DF-31 medium-range ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles can carry through the transformation of anti-satellite role, if necessary, these missiles can cover the range of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites run. There is no verification of a confirmed reports that the new JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) is being considered as a possible anti-satellite system. China is also developing KT-2 and KT-2A satellite launch vehicle, if necessary, they can be turned into anti-satellite system.

Jane’s article goes on to say, there are reports that the Chinese HQ-9 and the HQ-15 missile program (similar to the Russian S-300, the SA-10 and SA-20 surface to air missile system) can transform and take on anti-satellite mission, the goal is a low orbit (LEO) satellites operating. However, some people think that HQ-19 surface to air missiles (similar to the Russian S-400 SA-21 surface to air missile systems) project is likely to be used as an anti-satellite systems. There Ikunori reported that the United States, China is testing a ground-based laser (GBL) for use against its own satellites and U.S. satellites, which can temporarily blind or actually destroy the satellite, the satellite’s optical components, in addition, the foundation Lasers can also be used for a satellite precise profiling to help determine the potential use of satellite, or satellite before the attack, the precise measurement of the satellites orbital parameters. It is reported that China’s ground-based lasers that are placed somewhere in the northwest of the Tianshan Mountains.

Jane’s Soviet anti-satellite test that said, the Soviet Union in 1968 and 1982, about 20 times during the anti-satellite test, is improved through the use of intercontinental ballistic missiles and launch vehicles. The message has not been confirmed that, as of 1998, the Russian Federation has also developed in the air-launched anti-satellite system, the carrier is transformed using the R-33 (AA-9) or R-37 (AA-13) air to air missiles, they upgraded MiG-31 from the “Foxhound” fighter on the launch.

article goes on to say, there are reports that as of 1999, Russia developed the “trackers” (Burlak) as an anti-satellite launch vehicle system, but also the development from the improved Tu-160 “Blackjack” strategic bombers launch anti-satellite system. And “trackers” rocket design, the first stage that uses a ramjet engine, the second stage uses a liquid-fueled rocket engines. Russia will certainly have ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and launch vehicles to transform the ability of anti-satellite system, as long as it do, can do.