The Automatic Airspace Defence System is an anti-missile defense system designed by the Monika Corporation, and used by the Sebelsti People’s Revolutionary Army since the year 2018. It consists of multiple modular units that can be installed into regular semi-trucks for transport, or can be launched from the ground. Each unit contains four missiles, which carry an explosive pack on the side to assist in destroying the enemy missile. Each counter-missile contains a hook that can connect to an enemy bomb and force it into a controlled descent, often forcing it back to where the bomb or missile originated, or to a nearby ocean or river.
History
In the aftermath of a devastating missile attack by North Noobanian rebels in 2016 which killed over 40 people in the northwestern region, the SPRA created a request for bids to create an aerial defence system. In December 2016, Monika Corporation accepted the bid, but it wasn’t until the bid’s information was leaked to the public that both sides acknowledged that the deal was made. Starting in 2018, satellite imagery began showing massive box shaped objects sitting in fenced in fields in the remote desert area. It would later be revealed that these were the anti-missile systems in question.
Coverage
There are over 70 confirmed units and at least 10 unconfirmed units throughout the country. While their placement is highly flexible (as they are modular and can be moved easily), there are around 20 fixed units that do not appear to be movable, that are placed in a roughly diamond shaped area, providing defence against missile attacks for around 70% of the country’s total land area when including the movable ones. The system has proven to be almost 4 times more powerful and more effective than conventional anti aircraft weapons.
Cellular Jamming
It has been alleged that each anti-missile unit contains multiple cellular jammers , designed to make it harder for the missiles to contact their base station, and to make it harder for military personnel to communicate messages to the missile.
Operation
Upon detecting an enemy missile, the early warning radar system communicates a signal to any of the nearby stations. Despite having “automatic” in its name, it requires multiple soldiers to authorize and fire the weapon, but it is faster than conventional weapons. Within a period of less than a minute, the unit opens its hatch in the top of the box, and raises the missile at a 90 degree angle, although the launcher isn’t pointed directly at the trajectory of the target, rather it is pointed 45 degrees to the left or right of it, and once the rocket reaches a certain height, it will change direction towards its target. Once the target is within a certain range, the boosters turn on and a predetermined number of rockets will launch, quickly breaking the sound barrier, however, when it reaches around 6099 meters (about 20,000 feet), it begins descending towards the target, either forcing it into a controlled descent, or destroying it in the air. After impact, a signal is sent.