Japanese officials are now said to be considering a way to revive the Aegis Ashore project by keeping the deckhouse with its AN/SPY-7 radar. The SM-3 Block IIA interceptors will be deployed on warships instead.
Photo: MDA
Tokyo had suspended the Aegis Ashore program last month after discovering that the boosters from the interceptors might land on private property after the missiles have been fired.
The new proposal will sidestep the concern as the warships are out at sea during launch. However, a major issue is that the data link between the ships and the Aegis Ashore facility could be jammed or the signal might be intermittent.
Existing destroyers capable of firing the SM-2 are also slated for retirement and they have to be refurbished to continue in service.