The ballistic system consists of the satellite network and a ground-based radar for advanced discovery, with an estimated range around the 3000 Km. The latter is governed by the Beijing Aerospace Control and Command Centers (BACCC) and by the satellite of Xian (XSCC).
It should therefore be an implementation of electronic intelligence (ELINT), ie the collection of electronic emissions from any radio wave emitting station.
China currently has three groups of ELINT satellites, which guarantee global surveillance. Each cluster consists of three satellites kept in triangular formation and can locate radio sources with an accuracy ranging from 25 km to 100 km. These are associated with optical sensors capable of detecting the position of the targets with an accuracy of approximately 10 Km.
The missile guide satellites can supply around 16 targets simultaneously. If these data were confirmed, it would mean that China has spatial surveillance that can identify, locate and trace an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
The weapon system that could be used would be the DF-21 ballistic missile, which could be implemented with a head adaptable to such a mission, therefore with the peculiarity of a high maneuverability. Guided by the on-board radar, the head could, when descending through the atmosphere, hook the aircraft carrier into motion and then independently adjust its trajectory to hit the unit, hopefully with conventional ammunition.
The aircraft on board, have an autonomy of less than 1000 Km compared to that of the DF-21 which seems to be around 2000 Km. In fact, the aircraft carriers could not exercise their force projection on Chinese territory.
If this were confirmed, it would determine a new geopolitical and strategic structure.
Giovanni Caprara
Source: The Hindu (photo: US Navy)
