(U) HAWK Air Defense System

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The HAWK missile system provides U.S. and allied forces with low to medium altitude air defenses.  The HAWK system is currently undergoing a program of upgrades and enhancements, and it is seen as a low risk, near-term missile defense solution against short-range ballistic missiles and other airborne threats such as aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles.

Description: (U)
(U) Development of the MIM-23 HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) began in 1953.  The HAWK missile has a slender cylindrical body and four long cord clipped delta-wings, extending from mid-body to the slightly tapered boat-tail.  The Standard HAWK battery includes an HQ with an AN/MPQ-50 pulse/acquisition radar, an AN/MPQ-48 Continuous Wave (CW) Acquisition radar, and an AN/TWS Battery Control Post and two firing platoons each with an AN/MPQ-46 tracking/illuminating engagement radar and three M193 triple missile launchers.

(U) The most prominent upgrade to the HAWK system includes modifying the Marine Corps primary air surveillance radar, the TPS-59.  The improved radar will detect theater ballistic missiles out to 400 nautical miles and up to 500,000 feet in altitude.  These improvements will give the radar the sort of surveillance and tracking ability needed for theater ballistic missile defense.  The first units will be equipped with upgraded TPS-59s in FY98.  The Air Defense Communications Platform (ADCP), an entirely new addition to the HAWK system, will link the TPS-59 to the HAWK battery and will also transmit formatted data to other theater sensors.  This will allow the HAWK to communicate with other TBMD systems through the Joint Tactical Distribution System (JTIDS).  These links will allow the air defense commander to cue HAWK with other missile defense systems and integrate the HAWK into the theater missile defense architecture.  The ADCP is fully developed, and initial production is scheduled to begin in FY97.  The HAWK missiles and warhead are being modified to allow the HAWK to better engage enemy ballistic missiles.  Specifically, the upgrade will improve the HAWK's missile fuze and warhead which will result in an "improved lethality missile."  Additionally, improvements to the launcher will make the HAWK more mobile and better able to digitally interface with the missiles.  The modifications allow missiles to be transported on the launcher itself.   The Marine Corps will have 1,000 improved lethality missiles installed by the end of FY97.  

User Impact: (U)
(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 10/1998 (1QFY1999).
		(U)  IOC for Improved lethality HAWK missiles in USMC service.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) MEADS

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Ground-Based Missile Defense

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) SPACE CONTROL: NMD/ COUNTERSPACE.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Army.

Date of Information: (U)
21 November 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)