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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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U.S.
deploys Sea based X-Band Radar (SBX) to detect potential North Korean
Missile Launch |
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The
United States has deployed its Sea-based X-Band radar to the ocean east
of Japan to detect any potential North Korean ballistic missile launches.
The SBX is a combination of the world's largest phased-array X-band
radar carried aboard a mobile, ocean-going semi-submersible oil platform.
In case of a ballistic missile launch, it would be able to detect the
missile and track its trajectory. This data would then be used by other
platform (such as US Navy Destroyers in the area) to shoot the missile
down.
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PEARL HARBOR
(March 22, 2013) The Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) transits the waters
of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The SBX, headed to sea for systems
checks, is a combination of the world's largest phased-array X-band
radar carried aboard a mobile, ocean-going semi-submersible oil platform.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released)
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A
Pentagon official said the move was a “routine deployment”
that is “not in relation to current events.” The same official
said however that the deployement of destroyer USS John McCain was linked
to the current crisis.
The SBX is a floating, self-propelled, mobile radar station designed
to operate in high winds and heavy seas. It is part of the U.S. Defense
Department Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Sea-Based X-Band Radar
is mounted on a fifth generation CS-50 twin-hulled semi-submersible
drilling rig. SBX-1 is part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
system being deployed by the Missile Defense Agency. Being sea-based
allows the vessel to be moved to areas where they are needed for enhanced
missile defense. |
