History of Anti-Radiation Missiles

What Is an Anti-Radar Missile?

Anti-radiation missiles (ARM) are guided missiles designed to detect radio frequencies emitted from radar systems. As a crucial component of electronic warfare and defense strategies today, counter-radar missiles rely on electromagnetic radiation from enemy radar systems during combat. Once the missile can successfully target the emissions, it finds the source of the radiation, which is usually a radar site, and destroys it.

The main goal of anti-radar missiles is to neutralize enemy radar communication in the hopes of gaining air superiority throughout defense operations.

A Brief History of Counter Radar Missiles

Anti-radar missiles were created as a response to the increased use of radar technology in the 20^th century. Though radio communications were first introduced in the 1890s, it was not until 1935 when physicist Robert Watson-Watts and his assistant Arnold F. Wilkins demonstrated how radio waves could successfully detect enemy aircraft. They were able to do so through the reflection of radio beams off the metal of enemy planes.

Based on this finding, the first Chain Home Radar Station was built out of wooden receivers and steel transmitter towers. It was not until 1941, two years into World War II, that anti-radiation missiles were incorporated into defense strategies, and have been used ever since.

Features of Anti-Radar Missiles

Along with its “radar-hunting” homing capabilities, some of the unique features of counter-radar missiles include the following:

• Passive seeker systems that do not emit their own radiation while being utilized in combat
• Suppression capabilities that are intended to disarm the radar system temporarily as opposed to completely destroying it
• Target recognition that allows operators to differentiate the types of radar emissions, as well as prioritize more threatening ones
• Standoff range, which allows for anti-radar missiles to be launched from a safe distance while still successfully hitting their targets
• Multiple launching platforms that allow operators to diversify where attacks come from

How Anti-Radiation Missiles Are Launched

Due to their multiple launching platforms and standoff range, anti-radiation missiles can be launched from various platforms, such as aircraft, ships, and on the ground. With that in mind, the four different techniques to launch counter-radar missiles include:

• Surface to air
• Surface to surface
• Air to surface
• Air to air

Though there are different tactics when launching counter-radar missiles, the process may vary depending on the type of missile you are working with. This is mainly to ensure the overall success of the mission, as well as the safety and security of the individuals working with these high-powered missiles.