ALHTK is a Missile Defense
Agency program that is
leveraging the combat proven
PAC-3 Missile launched from an
F-15C fighter for a boost phase
and terminal phase intercept defense
capability. The integration
of these combat-proven systems
provides a highly mobile defensive
capability against short
and intermediate range ballisticmissiles,
cruise missiles and
manned and unmanned aircraft.
By utilizing the airspeed and altitude
of the delivery aircraft, an
airlaunched PAC-3 will achieve
4-6 times the range of a surface
launched PAC-3. Combatproven,
extensively tested, and
in production, the PAC-3 is the
most capable surface-to-air missile
in the U.S. inventory. The
PAC-3 missile is a high velocity,
highly maneuverable interceptor
that defeats incoming targets
by direct, body-to-body impact;
the missile also possesses robust
capability against a full range
of countermeasures. Integrating
the PAC-3 aboard the F-15C
aircraft provides the USAF a
near-term early intercept capability,
significant terminal defense
intercept capability, as well as
extreme long range air-to-air
capability against cruise missiles
and aircraft.
ALHTK addresses combatant
commanders’ requests for
early intercept capability and
provides an expeditionary terminal
defense deployable on short
notice to supplement low density
and high demand ground-based
systems. A European Command
(EUCOM) ALHTK analysis
shows a substantial capability to
defend most of Europe against
intermediate range ballistic
missile threats from the Middle
East with an F-15C on ground
alert. Terminal defense capability
originating from aircraft is
an affordable, highly effective
defense and deterrent capability
for all COCOMs. ALHTK may
also be employed to defend the
United States against asymmetric
ballistic
and cruise missile threats.
Although the
F-15C can employ the PAC-3
using its own active electronically-
scanned array (AESA)
radar to target the missile, the
MDA study has also shown that
the PAC-3 may also be launched
from the F-16, F-22, and F-35
using off-board sensors for target
track data required for intercept.
The ALHTK is also a potential
candidate for future integration
on the B-52, P-8A maritime
patrol aircraft
or Navy Unmanned Combat Air
System
(UCAS).
A TBM intercept flight demonstrationcan
be executed within
33 months of
contract award and be in USAF
service
within 22 months after an initial
flight test. ALHTK is a rapid,
low-risk path to a USAF air
launched early intercept and terminal
defense capability against
proliferating ballistic missile
threats. Leveraging the existing
PAC-3 production for ALHTK
also provides unit cost benefits to
DoD for this important
capability.
