SM-3 is in the 0.5m class, whereas this missile seems to be in the 1m class.
I think it will be larger than the SM-3 but smaller than the GMD. I think the ASAT is our GMD equivalent.
Ground-Based Midcourse Defense - Wikipedia
AAD < 50Km alt = 48N6E3, PAC-3, HQ-29
PDV < 150Km = THAAD, HQ-19/SC-19
ASAT > 300Km = GBI, DN-X family, SM-3
AD1 = ?? (Should be < 50Km)
AD2 = 100-300Km??. So S-500
S-550 = Better than all of the above.
Can't really speculate. The SM-3 is a really good design.
SM-3 is not known to have been designed to stop ICBMs, but S-550 and GBD are supposed to. Although our ASAT can reach high altitude and speed enough to stop ICBMs, it's not clear if it can actually do that.
As for AD-2, since we know our objective is to stop IRBMs, and the SM-3 can also stop IRBMs, it's likely that AD-2 is similar to SM-3. But then there's a possibility that AD-2 has not been designed for mid-course interception like the SM-3 was. Its only job could be exo-atmopsheric interception in the terminal phase. Perhaps AD-2 is an ASAT that can also stop ICBMs, like the GBD and S-550, or may restrict itself to IRBMs. Even though the AD-2 seems to have the same size as the GBI, it could very easily use cheaper fuels, weaker motors etc for a more limited cost and capability more relevant to us. It could be anything.
Afaik AD 2 will have hypersonic speed, solid DACS and non AL Based fuel so its not going to cheaper.
SM 3 just recently intercepted ICBM it can destroy Satellites as well its Latest blocks can even reach altitude of 1500 km.
Cheaper relatively speaking. You don't need the AD-2 to be as capable as SM-3 Block II if you only intend to stop IRBMs with it.
Yep, the Block 2 and beyond.
It's still difficult to say where AD-2 will fit in, because there's also the ASAT that does what SM-3, GBI, DN-X etc also do.
I think our target is missiles upto range of 5000km beyond that we don't face any threat. Major change in block 2 missile is its diameter that's why I think that AD 2 will out range SM 3.
There's no guarantee of that. We will know for sure only when details emerge.
For example, our ASAT sits between SM-3 Block 1B and Block 2A as of today, although it's the same size as the GBI. It needs upgrades if it is to surpass the SM-3 Block 2A, and even more so if it's to match the GBI. So, whether AD-2 will match or exceed SM-3 B2A, in turn our ASAT, that's to be seen.
Altitudes
SM-3 B1A/B = 500-600Km
SM-3 B2A = 1500Km
GBI = 2000Km
ASAT = 300Km demonstrated, 800-1200Km claimed. Requires upgrades to surpass SM-3 and GBI. We are gonna need our own ASAT Mk1A/ Mk2 etc.
So even if AD-2 is bigger, I have no clue if the objective is to stop missiles at altitudes of above IRBM class weapons, where we already have the ASAT. Agni III's apogee is 500Km, IV is at 900Km and V is at 600Km. DF-21's apogee is 500Km. DF-26's should be somewhere between 500-1000Km as well, I believe it should be around 500-600Km though. So we need a missile that sits between SM-3 B1 and 2. But this is for midcourse interception. For terminal, we don't need more than 300Km altitude. A bigger design doesn't necessarily mean there's an overlap in capabilities, especially when we do not know the role of AD-2 yet.
It's small enough to fit in the VLS of ships, and can reach an altitude of 1500Km, which is enough to stop many types of ICBMs.
It's still an unclear statement. India has operational capability or has capability to develop, both mean different things.
To stop all kinds of ICBMs, even future ones, we need the ability to reach up to 2500Km. ASAT will have to be further developed to reach this capability.
We don't know it's true potential yet such large missile with huge KV should travel further.
I still believe AD 2 will be our mid course interceptor.
I don't want to speculate because I don't really know.
Maybe AD-2 will replace ASAT, maybe it's just an upgrade over the PDV. No clue.