Multiple Kill Vehicle

The Multiple Kill Vehicle ( MKV ) is a system of several kinetic warheads for defense against intercontinental ballistic missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere. Currently developing the U.S. corporations Lockheed Martin and Raytheon each own prototypes.

Description

The MKV program was initiated in order to prevent rapid saturation of the U.S. missile defense system by MIRV warheads or at least delay. A single, modern intercontinental ballistic missile (such as the type Bulava -30 or Peacekeeper ) can be equipped with up to 10 warheads, which necessitates the use of at least 10 missiles. Already with more than five MIRV -tipped ICBMs the defense system would be overloaded therefore highly probable.

To solve this problem, the MKV system is essentially based on the MIRV concept: There are several kinetic Abfangsgefechtsköpfe be accommodated in a single missile, so as to neutralize the numerical superiority of the attacker. Depending on the concept are up to 20 warheads possible. It need only minor changes to the launcher to be made because the form factor of the respective original warhead is maintained.

MKV -L

This is the MKV concept of Lockheed Martin. It provides for a larger, central sensor unit to which it is the individual warheads (12 pieces) are grouped together. The central unit is responsible for the target detection, the communication with the ground segment, and the control of the warheads. The most recent test of 2 December 2008 demonstrated the capabilities of the attitude control thrusters.

MKV -R

This is the concept of Raytheon MKV. In contrast to the design of Lockheed Martin case no central unit is provided so that the same kinds of warheads will be accommodated in the interceptor.

Platforms

• Ground Based Interceptor
• Kinetic Energy Interceptor
• Standard Missile 3