TO: Apocoronas Ministry of National Defence
FROM: Lyran Governmental Trade Department
RE: AAA system
Specifications – LY471 Skyguard Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Ballistic Missile system
Concept
The Skyguard is a new generation of air defense and theater anti-missile weapon developed by the Protectorate Research and Development Commission as an extensive upgrade and capability-extension of the Russian S-400 family. This new system is intended to detect airborne targets at a distance of up to 3,500 km and destroy them at up to 1,100km (many times greater than the S-400 system, and analogous to the S-500/S-1000). The Skyguard system includes radars capable of detecting low-signature targets. The anti-missile capability of the system has been increased well beyond the limits established by the ABM Treaty demarcation agreements, the previous limitation imposed on the S-400, and is determined as now capable of engaging targets with velocities corresponding not only to intercontinental ballistic missiles, but also exo-atmospherically deployed munitions.
The Skyguard program is a complete, integrated weapon system, including launchers, missiles, radar, computers, and battle management command and control. All elements of the system work in concert to detect, identify, assign, and destroy opposing force elements.
The system was developed through the cooperation of the Protectorate Research and Development Commission, Lyran Arms, Kaiser Waffen Fabrik of the Holy Empire of Verenberg, Datadyne Information Systems of North Storn, and other enterprises.
Lyran Arms has developed three missiles for the Skyguard system, the LY4030 extreme-range anti-aircraft missile, LY4031 long-range, multi-use, high-acceleration impact-kill weapon, and the LY4032 “Rampart” exoatmospheric strategic defence missile.
These missiles can be accomodated on the existing SAM system launchers of the S-400 family, but are extensively redesigned to be compatible with a multitude of platforms. A container with four LY4031 will fit in the same launcher that held the four 9M96Ms of the S-400, or the single-launch container of the LY4030, 5V55 or 48N6 missiles, and thus the the standard launcher intended for four S-300 serires 48N6Ye missiles can accommodate up to four LY4030 or sixteen LY4031 missiles. Skyguard provides for the greatest possible continuity with systems of the S-300/S-400 family, making it possible to smoothly change over to the production of the new generation system for those nations fielding Russian or Soviet theatre-defence systems. It will include the previous control complex, though supporting not eight but sixteen SAM systems, as well as multifunctional radar systems illumination and guidance, launchers, and associated autonomous detection and target indication systems.
The firing platform for the LY4032 Rampart missile is different, and the system, unlike the above two, is not modular. Rampart launchers are purpose-built, and the vehicle is available only to nations with an established relationship with the Protectorate of Lyras.
Tests of the Skyguard system reportedly began six years ago, with the initial test shortly after battle was engaged in by Lyran personnel in defence of Verenberg. As of July, the testing of LY471 air defense system was reportedly nearing completion at Southbastion, with the first systems of this kind delivered to the Lyran Protectorate Air Force and Air Defense Divisions of the Lyran Protectorate Army in the fourth quarter of that year.
Lyran Army air defence troops conducted test firings of the new system on 05 April the following year. Initial queries raised by the Varessan Commonwealth were not responded to, and it was some time before the LY471's existence was officially confirmed. Field Marshal Wallington, in briefings on operational conceptualisation stated that all air defense divisions would field the LY471 launcher system by the end of the year, and that both LY4030 and LY4031 missiles would be made available internationally, as the weapons systems are distributed.
The Lyran Protectorate Air Force and Air Defence Divisions of the Lyran Protectorate Army are examining ways to reduce the large number of different systems available for air defence, and it is likely that Skyguard will become the primary system being deployed, providing defence both in the mid- to extreme-range zones.
Networking, Sensory and Fire Control System
The LY471 uses the Cromwell II fire control and battlespace integration system as the basis of its electronic and information warfare suite. Like the Cromwell before it, the Cromwell II system inputs and actively seeks information from a wide variety of sensory sources, not limited to those on the platforms of the LY471 itself.
Cromwell II system follows on from its Inter-Vehicular Information System (IVIS) conceptual ancestor, and is part of an integrated and adaptive battlespace network that maximises combat lethality, and enables command and control on an unprecedented scale. Information is sourced not only from multiple sources on the individual vehicle or soldier, but from every Cromwell II equipped friendly platform within the battlespace, which provides constant informational updates across a broad spectrum of sources, both known to the operators, and operating below their awareness.
The Cromwell II system utilises this information to compute a firing solution, based upon analysis of the target. This is achieved in less time than it would take the gunner to depress the firing stud or authorise the missile launch. The firing solution that Cromwell II generates ensures a near-perfect hit percent at standard ranges, across all conditions.
At the most basic level, the Cromwell II system aims to accelerate engagement cycles and increase operational tempo at all levels of the warfighting system. This acceleration is acheived by providing a mechanism to rapidly gather and distribute targeting information, and rapidly issue directives. Cromwell II's ultra-high speed networking permits error-free, high integrity transmission in a bare fraction of the time required for voice-based transmission, and permits transfer of a wide range of data formats, from a multitude of compatible sources.
As well as radar, the fire control system on the Skyguard also has an electro-optic channel with long-wave thermal imager and infrared direction finder, including digital signal processing and automatic target tracking.
Maximum engagement rate is 12 targets a minute, for a single vehicle. However, the Cromwell II network coordinates the fire power of up to seven Skyguard batteries spaced at distances of up to 900km. Any Skyguard can be the network master controller and the network can link with other command facilities, or even other seven-battery networks, in real time.
The fully automatic real-time data exchange includes airspace control data, weapon control orders and fire control orders, target identification data, individual system status and vehicle position, threat prioritisation and optimised weapon allocation, engagement status, weapon status and jammer triangulation data.
The single battery's computational facilities can track and target up to 448 air or ground targets near simultaneously, with the control vehicle directing the network to ensure the right weaponry arrives at the right time. The system can also assign targets to other vehicles in the network that are operating with their radars in silent mode, maximising lethality while maintaining high levels of concealment. The battery can also vector in extra weapons systems, in flight, if targets are missed or if there are too few missiles carried within the battery to engage the hostile force elements.
The Cromwell II links for the Skygyard, like the Shepherd, use frequency-agile radios or landline. Over 4,000 frequencies with 20kHz channel spacing are used in the frequency agile radio link. The system architecture provides full duplex data exchange and simultaneous half duplex voice communications.
The Skyguard was initially fitted with the Vigilant radar system of the type employed on the LY220. The AN/MPQ-77 Vigilant is a three-dimensional radar used to alert and queue Short-to-Medium Range Air Defense (STMRAD- pronounced “stem-rad”) weapons to the locations of hostile targets approaching front line forces. The Vigilant radar is deployed with forward area air defense units across all branches of the Lyran Protectorate Military.
The radar uses an X-band, range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antennae use phase-frequency electronic scanning technology, forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. The radar automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. It uses a high scan rate (40 RPM), is frequency agile, and operates at a range of 52 km. The radar is designed to incorporate extremely high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), performs target acquisition, confirmation, tracking and identification. Mounted on a towed platform, or fitted to the roof of any number of chassis, it can be positioned remotely from the rest of the unit, operated autonomously and communicate with the Cromwell system via wideband fiber-optic link. It can also distribute its data over a radio network, although by definition that is more likely to compromise security parameters.
It quickly became apparent that the AN/MPQ-77, while highly capable, was far too short-ranged for the taskings, and the LY471 was married up with a new, multi-system package that consisted of the AN/MPQ-65 Moat early warning radar, with a range of 5200 km. Bastion VHF band intermediate-stage radar, ranged out to 3500km. The last is the Keep target tracking radar, range 1200km.
Well implemented networking, using the Cromwell II system, can contribute to improved effectiveness in other ways as well. Rather than micromanage Cromwell-equipped platforms with close control via a command link tether (such as a radio), networked platforms are given significant autonomy, defined objectives, and allowed to take the initiative in how they meet these objectives. The size, integration and scope of the networked Cromwell II system enables all units across the battlespace to respond faster than their opposition, and this increased tempo generates increased lethality across all levels of the engagement spectrum.
The Cromwell II system can automatically detect and track visible or otherwise located targets, compare them using the data link established with other friendly vehicles to prevent redundant target overkill. Parameters for engagement in this instance are determined by the operational rules of engagement, and while functional, although the system does NOT replace the human operator.
The system, in its entirety, is fully insulated against electronic interference and data-hacking, and all communications and information exchange programs are 512 bit encrypted to ensure maximum network security.
Armament
The Skyguard's three missile systems are deployed by the same combat unit, which fields all systems employed, if available. The different missiles are carried and launched from seperate vehicles, operating in conjunction through the extensive use of high-end computational and operational integration.
The first of the three, the LY4030, has a range of up to 1100 km and will be able to engage "over- the-horizon" airbourne targets using a combination of information obtained by Cromwell II uplink, and seeker heads developed by Lyran Arms, in conjunction with Protectorate Research and Development's LY589 “Hellion” Advanced Cruise Missile Program. This seeker can operate in semiactive- or active-radar modes, or infra-red, with the seeker switched to a search mode on ground command or target area arrival, and homing on targets independently. Targets for this missile include airborne early warning and control aircraft as well as jammers.
The usual loadout of LY4030 missiles is four per TEL.
Length: 10.0 m
Diameter: 0.85 m
Wing span: 0.85 m
Weight: 3,300kg
Propulsion: solid propellant boost and sustain
Guidance: Semi-active radar, active-radar, IR, inertial, GPS and force-uplink with command updates.
Warhead: 150kg
Speed: 14450km/h (just shy of double 48N6E2 of S-300, a fraction more than the 40N6)
Range: 1100 km
Altitude: 90,000 m
The LY4031 missile is a medium range, high-acceleration, endoatmospheric interceptor missile, capable against a wide range of targets. The LY4031 is more than able to engage aircraft and air-launched weapons at ranges in excess of 210 km. The missile is small - similar in size to the 9M96M missile of the S-400, on which the LY4031 is based, and uses a hit-to-kill attack profile. The missile is equipped with an active homing head and has an estimated single shot kill probability of 0.98 for manned aircraft and 0.92 for unmanned maneuvering aircraft. A gas-dynamic control system enables the LY4031 missile to maneuver at altitudes of up to 65 km at positive g forces over 30, which permits engagment of non-strategic ballistic missiles. The LY4031 (modified) is expected to become the basic long-range weapon of Lyran Protectorate Air Force's combat aircraft, and may become the standardised missile for medium-to-long range air defense SAM systems, ship-launched air defense missile systems, and fighter aircraft.
Length: 5.1 m
Diameter: 0.31 m
Wing span: 0.46
Weight: 355 kg
Propulsion: solid propellant boost and sustain
Guidance: inertial with command updates. Active radar terminal homing from AGAT
Warhead: KE hit-to-kill
Speed: 3600 km/h
Range: 210 km
Altitude: 65,000 m
The third missile, the LY4032 “Rampart”, is the highest altitude component of Lyras' ABM defence, and is a dual-fueled, three-stage, upper tier exo-atmospheric weapon, with a 450km range and a 2 Mt nuclear warhead. The weapon is based on the Soviet-era 51T6 (NATO codename: Gorgon) and its 45T6 successor. However, where the 51T6 and 45T6 were silo-launched, the LY4032 is mobile, with the super-heavy TEL vehicles typically carrying two. The system is radar (command) guided, and is one of the most extensively tested and maintained pieces of equipment fielded by the Protectorate. Security measures surrounding the handling (and export) of LY4032 are rigorous, as befits the system's composition.
Length: 20.3 m
Diameter: 2.15 m
Wing span: 0.45 m
Weight: 32,500 kg
Propulsion: solid propellant rocket boost motor (1st) and two liquid-rocket sustainer (2nd and 3rd)
Guidance: inertial with mid-course command updates. Active radar terminal homing from AGAT
Warhead: 2 Mt nuclear
Speed: 3600km/h
Range: 450 km (max), 1km (min)
Altitude: 185,000 m (max), 10m (min – unrecommended)
If you are interested, please let us know.
Lieutenant-General Aleksandr
Director
Lyran Governmental Trade Department
Bredubar
Protectorate of Lyras
To: General Ioannis Daskaloyannis, Chief of National Defence, Apocoronian Ministry of Defence
From : Lyran Governmental Trade Department
Sir
Enclosed is the details of the completed export system for the LY471 Skyguard. Pictures of certain elements of the system are also provided.
Lyran analysis of the national air defence situation of your country has tentatively determined that 3 Skyguard divisions, stationed in the west, central and eastern parts of Apocoronas, will provide extensive, mutually supporting air and aerospace defence. Moreover, the range of the LY471 is such that despite the geographic seperation, batteries stationed in the far east of Apocoronas will still be able to engage targets well beyond the WEST coast, should the western batteries require support, and vice-versa.
Assuming, that is, our analysts are reading your map's scale correctly.
The launchers and launcher systems you field for the s300, incidentally, are very easily capable of firing the LY4030 and LY4031 missiles of the Skyguard system.
Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask us.
Regards
Lieutenant-General Aleksandr
Director
Lyran Governmental Trade Department
Bredubar
Protectorate of Lyras
Specifications – LY471 Skyguard Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Ballistic Missile system
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/RadararrayKeep.jpg
Keep Radar
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/RadararrayBastion.jpg
Bastion Radar
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/LY4030.jpg
LY4030 TEL
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/LY4031launchervehicle.jpg
LY4031 TEL
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb62/2821090/LY4032RampartTEL.jpg
LY4032 "Rampart" TEL
(OOC: The product of several weeks of research into real-life anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic missile systems, radars, logistics, etc, this represents a whole slab of effort. Please do not plagiarise it. Thanks to the folks at the NS Draftroom, and to my wife.)
Concept and Background
The Skyguard is a new generation of air defense and theater anti-missile weapon developed by the Protectorate Research and Development Commission as an extensive upgrade and capability-extension of the Russian S-400 family. This new system is intended to detect airborne targets at a distance of up to 3,500 km and destroy them at up to 1,100km (many times greater than the S-400 system, and analogous to the S-500/S-1000). The Skyguard system includes radars capable of detecting low-signature targets. The anti-missile capability of the system has been increased well beyond the limits established by the ABM Treaty demarcation agreements, the previous limitation imposed on the S-400, and is determined as now capable of engaging targets with velocities corresponding not only to intercontinental ballistic missiles, but also exo-atmospherically deployed munitions.
The Skyguard program is a complete, integrated weapon system, including launchers, missiles, radar, computers, and battle management command and control. All elements of the system work in concert to detect, identify, assign, and destroy opposing force elements.
The system was developed through the cooperation of the Protectorate Research and Development Commission, Lyran Arms, Kaiser Waffen Fabrik of the Holy Empire of Verenberg, Datadyne Information Systems of North Storn, and other enterprises.
Lyran Arms has developed three missiles for the Skyguard system, the LY4030 extreme-range anti-aircraft missile, LY4031 long-range, multi-use, high-acceleration impact-kill weapon, and the LY4032 “Rampart” exoatmospheric strategic defence missile.
These missiles can be accomodated on the existing SAM system launchers of the S-400 family, but are extensively redesigned to be compatible with a multitude of platforms. A container with four LY4031 will fit in the same launcher that held the four 9M96Ms of the S-400, or the single-launch container of the LY4030, 5V55 or 48N6 missiles, and thus the the standard launcher intended for four S-300 serires 48N6Ye missiles can accommodate up to four LY4030 or sixteen LY4031 missiles. Skyguard provides for the greatest possible continuity with systems of the S-300/S-400 family, making it possible to smoothly change over to the production of the new generation system for those nations fielding Russian or Soviet theatre-defence systems. It will include the previous control complex, though supporting not eight but sixteen SAM systems, as well as multifunctional radar systems illumination and guidance, launchers, and associated autonomous detection and target indication systems.
The firing platform for the LY4032 Rampart missile is different, and the system, unlike the above two, is not modular. Rampart launchers are purpose-built, and the vehicle is available only to nations with an established relationship with the Protectorate of Lyras.
Tests of the Skyguard system reportedly began six years ago, with the initial test shortly after battle was engaged in by Lyran personnel in defence of Verenberg. As of July, the testing of LY471 air defense system was reportedly nearing completion at Southbastion, with the first systems of this kind delivered to the Lyran Protectorate Air Force and Air Defense Divisions of the Lyran Protectorate Army in the fourth quarter of that year.
Lyran Army air defence troops conducted test firings of the new system on 05 April the following year. Initial queries raised by the Varessan Commonwealth were not responded to, and it was some time before the LY471's existence was officially confirmed. Field Marshal Wallington, in briefings on operational conceptualisation stated that all air defense divisions would field the LY471 launcher system by the end of the year, and that both LY4030 and LY4031 missiles would be made available internationally, as the weapons systems are distributed.
The Lyran Protectorate Air Force and Air Defence Divisions of the Lyran Protectorate Army are examining ways to reduce the large number of different systems available for air defence, and it is likely that Skyguard will become the primary system being deployed, providing defence both in the mid- to extreme-range zones.
Networking, Sensory and Fire Control System
The LY471 uses the Cromwell II fire control and battlespace integration system as the basis of its electronic and information warfare suite. Like the Cromwell before it, the Cromwell II system inputs and actively seeks information from a wide variety of sensory sources, not limited to those on the platforms of the LY471 itself.
Cromwell II system follows on from its Inter-Vehicular Information System (IVIS) conceptual ancestor, and is part of an integrated and adaptive battlespace network that maximises combat lethality, and enables command and control on an unprecedented scale. Information is sourced not only from multiple sources on the individual vehicle or soldier, but from every Cromwell II equipped friendly platform within the battlespace, which provides constant informational updates across a broad spectrum of sources, both known to the operators, and operating below their awareness.
The Cromwell II system utilises this information to compute a firing solution, based upon analysis of the target. This is achieved in less time than it would take the gunner to depress the firing stud or authorise the missile launch. The firing solution that Cromwell II generates ensures a near-perfect hit percent at standard ranges, across all conditions.
At the most basic level, the Cromwell II system aims to accelerate engagement cycles and increase operational tempo at all levels of the warfighting system. This acceleration is acheived by providing a mechanism to rapidly gather and distribute targeting information, and rapidly issue directives. Cromwell II's ultra-high speed networking permits error-free, high integrity transmission in a bare fraction of the time required for voice-based transmission, and permits transfer of a wide range of data formats, from a multitude of compatible sources.
As well as radar, the fire control system on the Skyguard also has an electro-optic channel with long-wave thermal imager and infrared direction finder, including digital signal processing and automatic target tracking.
Maximum engagement rate is 12 targets a minute, for a single vehicle. However, the Cromwell II network coordinates the fire power of up to seven Skyguard batteries spaced at distances of up to 900km. Any Skyguard can be the network master controller and the network can link with other command facilities, or even other seven-battery networks, in real time.
The fully automatic real-time data exchange includes airspace control data, weapon control orders and fire control orders, target identification data, individual system status and vehicle position, threat prioritisation and optimised weapon allocation, engagement status, weapon status and jammer triangulation data.
The single battery's computational facilities can track and target up to 448 air or ground targets near simultaneously, with the control vehicle directing the network to ensure the right weaponry arrives at the right time. The system can also assign targets to other vehicles in the network that are operating with their radars in silent mode, maximising lethality while maintaining high levels of concealment. The battery can also vector in extra weapons systems, in flight, if targets are missed or if there are too few missiles carried within the battery to engage the hostile force elements.
The Cromwell II links for the Skygyard, like the Shepherd, use frequency-agile radios or landline. Over 4,000 frequencies with 20kHz channel spacing are used in the frequency agile radio link. The system architecture provides full duplex data exchange and simultaneous half duplex voice communications.
The Skyguard was initially fitted with the Vigilant radar system of the type employed on the LY220. The AN/MPQ-77 Vigilant is a three-dimensional radar used to alert and queue Short-to-Medium Range Air Defense (STMRAD- pronounced “stem-rad”) weapons to the locations of hostile targets approaching front line forces. The Vigilant radar is deployed with forward area air defense units across all branches of the Lyran Protectorate Military.
The radar uses an X-band, range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antennae use phase-frequency electronic scanning technology, forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. The radar automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. It uses a high scan rate (40 RPM), is frequency agile, and operates at a range of 52 km. The radar is designed to incorporate extremely high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), performs target acquisition, confirmation, tracking and identification. Mounted on a towed platform, or fitted to the roof of any number of chassis, it can be positioned remotely from the rest of the unit, operated autonomously and communicate with the Cromwell system via wideband fiber-optic link. It can also distribute its data over a radio network, although by definition that is more likely to compromise security parameters.
It quickly became apparent that the AN/MPQ-77, while highly capable, was far too short-ranged for the taskings, and the LY471 was married up with a new, multi-system package that consisted of the AN/FPS-65 Moat early warning radar, with a range of 5200 km. Second-stage is the AN/FPS-66 Bastion VHF band intermediate-range radar, viable out to 3500km. The last is the AN/MPQ-71 Keep target tracking radar, range 1200km. Keep uses an X-band, range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antennae use phase-frequency electronic scanning technology, forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. The radar automatically detects, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. It uses a high scan rate (40 RPM), is frequency agile, and operates at a range of 1200 km. The radar is designed to incorporate extremely high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM), partly by way of GaAs circuitry, and can perform target acquisition, confirmation, tracking and identification in the absence of the other layers of radar coverage, should circumstances require.
Well implemented networking, using the Cromwell II system, can contribute to improved effectiveness in other ways as well. Rather than micromanage Cromwell-equipped platforms with close control via a command link tether (such as a radio), networked platforms are given significant autonomy, defined objectives, and allowed to take the initiative in how they meet these objectives. The size, integration and scope of the networked Cromwell II system enables all units across the battlespace to respond faster than their opposition, and this increased tempo generates increased lethality across all levels of the engagement spectrum.
The Cromwell II system can automatically detect and track visible or otherwise located targets, compare them using the data link established with other friendly vehicles to prevent redundant target overkill. Parameters for engagement in this instance are determined by the operational rules of engagement, and while functional, although the system does NOT replace the human operator.
The system, in its entirety, is fully insulated against electronic interference and data-hacking, and all communications and information exchange programs are 512 bit encrypted to ensure maximum network security.
Armament
The Skyguard's three missile systems are deployed by the same combat unit, which fields all systems employed, if available. The different missiles are carried and launched from seperate vehicles, operating in conjunction through the extensive use of high-end computational and operational integration.
The first of the three, the LY4030, has a range of up to 1100 km and will be able to engage "over- the-horizon" airbourne targets using a combination of information obtained by Cromwell II uplink, and seeker heads developed by Lyran Arms, in conjunction with Protectorate Research and Development's LY589 “Hellion” Advanced Cruise Missile Program. This seeker can operate in semiactive- or active-radar modes, or infra-red, with the seeker switched to a search mode on ground command or target area arrival, and homing on targets independently. Targets for this missile include airborne early warning and control aircraft as well as jammers.
The usual loadout of LY4030 missiles is four per TEL (Transporter-Erector-Launcher).
Length: 10.0 m
Diameter: 0.85 m
Wing span: 0.85 m
Weight: 3,300kg
Propulsion: solid propellant boost and sustain
Guidance: Semi-active radar, active-radar, IR, inertial, GPS and force-uplink with command updates.
Warhead: 150kg
Speed: 14450km/h (just shy of double 48N6E2 of S-300, a fraction more than the 40N6)
Range: 1100 km
Altitude: 90,000 m
The LY4031 missile is a medium range, high-acceleration, endoatmospheric interceptor missile, capable against a wide range of targets. The LY4031 is more than able to engage aircraft and air-launched weapons at ranges in excess of 210 km. The missile is small - similar in size to the 9M96M missile of the S-400, on which the LY4031 is based, and uses a hit-to-kill attack profile. The missile is equipped with an active homing head and has an estimated single shot kill probability of 0.98 for manned aircraft and 0.92 for unmanned maneuvering aircraft. A gas-dynamic control system enables the LY4031 missile to maneuver at altitudes of up to 65 km at positive g forces over 30, which permits engagment of non-strategic ballistic missiles. The LY4031 (modified) is expected to become the basic long-range weapon of Lyran Protectorate Air Force's combat aircraft, and may become the standardised missile for medium-to-long range air defense SAM systems, ship-launched air defense missile systems, and fighter aircraft.
The usual loadout of LY4031 missiles is sixteen per TEL.
Length: 5.1 m
Diameter: 0.31 m
Wing span: 0.46
Weight: 355 kg
Propulsion: solid propellant boost and sustain
Guidance: inertial with command updates. Active radar terminal homing from AGAT. Alternate home-on-jamming modes.
Warhead: KE hit-to-kill
Speed: 3600 km/h
Range: 210 km
Altitude: 65,000 m
The third missile, the LY4032 “Rampart”, is the highest altitude component of Lyras' ABM defence, and is a dual-fueled, three-stage, upper tier exo-atmospheric weapon, with a 450km range and a 2 Mt nuclear warhead. The weapon is based on the Soviet-era 51T6 (NATO codename: Gorgon) and its 45T6 successor. However, where the 51T6 and 45T6 were silo-launched, the LY4032 is mobile, with the super-heavy TEL vehicles typically carrying two. The system is radar (command) guided, and is one of the most extensively tested and maintained pieces of equipment fielded by the Protectorate. Security measures surrounding the handling (and export) of LY4032 are rigorous, as befits the system's composition.
Length: 20.3 m
Diameter: 2.15 m
Wing span: 0.45 m
Weight: 32,500 kg
Propulsion: solid propellant rocket boost motor (1st) and two liquid-rocket sustainer (2nd and 3rd)
Guidance: inertial with mid-course command updates. Active radar terminal homing from AGAT
Warhead: 2 Mt nuclear
Speed: 3600km/h
Range: 450 km (max), 1km (min)
Altitude: 185,000 m (max), 10m (min – unrecommended)
Deployment and Organisation
The LY471's base unit is the “battery”, which is itself composed of five seperate subunits. Each subunit consists of several vehicles, and is individually responsible for the force element which it represents.
Within Lyras, a battery will contain one subunit of each missile type, with each fielding nine vehicles. The fourth subunit manages the batteries' extensive suite of radar and communications equipment, and the fifth contains the maintenance and sustainability resources for the battery as a whole. In general, three batteries will together comprise a regiment, three regiments a brigade, and three brigades a Lyran air defence division.
The battery, of Lyran standard, will thus field 56 LY4030 missiles, 144 LY4031 missiles, and 18 LY4032 “Rampart” missile, in a ready-to-fire state. All launchers can be reloaded twice from stockpiles maintained by subunit five, before additional stores are required. If batteries are expected to remain in location, or if the location itself is expecting heavy attack, additional stockpiles can be brought forward from regimental or brigade level, although this can hamper mobility.
One of subunit five's primary responsibilities within the Lyran force structure is the provision of constant supplies of power to the radar vehicles of subunit four which, while mobile, consume phenomenal quantities of electrical power. For this reason, subunit five normally fields more vehicles than most, and runs two power-generation vehicles in tandem with any given radar vehicle, and rotates the vehicles on a two-on-one-off basis.
An LY471 battery is modular and thus air transportable, but at the cost of an extensive set-up time at the port of embarkation.
Transportation by sea is easier, but has the standard lag-times associated with maritime transportation. Less disassembly is required, and the LY4031 missiles are able to be used in conjunction with ship-borne anti-aircraft systems, if sufficient deck space exists. Consultations with Royal Isselmere-Nieland Shipyards are ongoing concerning the mounting of the LY471 system as primary anti-aircraft armament on a number of maritime platforms.
All elements of the LY471 are off-road capable, which facilitates the deployment of the Skyguard into remote areas of a battlespace, and enables unit commanders the flexibility to best meet their force requirements.
Export
The LY471 Skyguard system represents arguably the most effective operational-to-strategic level anti-aircraft/anti-ballistic missile system in the world. This is a result not only of careful research, but a great deal of observation, testing and inter-state and inter-agency co-operation.
Export versions are identical to Lyran versions, with most of the Lyran cryptographic and communications equipment being memory erased to prevent compromise. All are, however, still integratable into a single force, should the requirement to synchronise operations on a multinational basis arise. Further modified and/or specific custom versions of the LY471 are available from the Lyran Protectorate, with costs altering as circumstances warrant.
Asgarnieu, Verenberg, TPF, Errikland, Bomble and select other nations are eligible for special dispensation, if they wish to utilise the LY471 Skyguard system.
Prices for vehicles are listed below (OOC: derived from RL costs of THAAD, Patriot PAC-3 and S400. Each THAAD missile, for example, costs US$5.8m), and come with a combat load of missiles (ie, one full load, and two reloads). Missile numbers are indicated, however, for the sake of clarity.
LY4030 TEL with 4 missiles, +8
NS$22m
LY4031 TEL with 16 missiles, +32
NS$20m
LY4032 TEL with 2 missiles, +4 (selected nations only)
NS$50m
AN/FPS-65 Moat EWR and transporter
NS$90m
AN/FPS-66 Bastion IRR and transporter
NS$82m
AN/MPQ-71 Keep TTR and transporter
NS$80m
Power and maintenance vehicle (PAMV)
NS$3m
Battery Command and Control vehicle (BCCV)
NS$8m
Standardised LY471 Battery package deal
(9 x LY4030 TEL, 9 x LY4031 TEL, 9 x 4032 TEL, 56 x LY4030 missiles, 144 x LY4031 missiles, and 18 x LY4032 “Rampart” missile, in a ready-to-fire state. 1 x Moat, 1 x Bastion, 1 x Keep. 1 x BCCV. 18 x PAMV)
NS$1.1bn
Standardised LY471 Regimental package deal
(3 x LY471 battery, one additional BCCV, 24 additional PAMV)
NS$3.1bn
Standardised LY471 Brigade package deal
(3 x LY471 regiment, two additional BCCV, 10 additional PAMV, 504 additional LY4030 missiles, 1296 additional LY4031 missiles, and 162 additional LY4032 “Rampart” Missiles)
NS$9.3bn
Standardised LY471 Division package deal
(3 x LY471 brigade, three additional BCCV, 15 additional PAMV)
NS$26bn
Domestic production rights are available, at NS$260bn, and DO NOT include production rights to the LY4032 “Rampart”, unless special dispensation is specifically requested and granted.