Fedya, Open source;
http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/06news0018.pdf
The System is more then just a radar set. You need the SM-3 (Standard Missile model 3) and a software upgrade to the Computer that ties the radar and the SM-3 together. AND the VLS.
What is important about the Tico’s that gets over looked is the VLS. 122 ‘cells’ in the Tico. I think the Burks have 92, but I’m not sure about that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh_Burke_class_destroyer
90, oh well. Anyway the SM-3 is very expensive so even the ships with the software upgrade only carry half a dozen under normal circumstances. Although load outs can be changed if there is enough advanced warning.
I have no idea if Production on the SM-3 has gotten enough built to put more then 6 on a ship.
What makes the SM-3 so tough it’s it acceleration. It pulls enough G’s going straight up that boost phase kills are possible. That means it doesn’t matter how many warheads the bus has or what sort of pen-aids. They ALL die together with a boost phase kill.
As far as any one SM2 getting a kill on any one short-range millisle/aircraft, it is almost impossible to say. Too many variables. That is why they shoot in pairs. Or triplets, depending on what the computer thinks is best.
Things happen to fast for a human to be in the loop. Once the system is turned on, it shoots at what it sees as the most dangerous target first. IIRC, default is shoot, shoot look. It punps out two missiles, looks to see if they are good birds and tracking and if not repeats the cycle.
That is why you have to have a VLS and fast computer to make it work. In peacetime, I think there is a 2 sec delay between launches, but in war time it could be MUCH less.
While I’m sure the KGB (GRU?) knows which Ships have received the software upgrade, it is NOT open source. I’m not a flaming liberal, so if I did know anything and said something, FBI would be at my door pretty soon.
Now if I worked for the N.Y. Times and had an upside down flag pin on my lapel, I could publish a list AND the code for the software and the FBI would only be interested in protecting my Pultzier.








