Aerial Targets

Abstract

Full-scale Aerial Targets (FSAT), Subscale Aerial Targets (SSAT), Next Generation Aerial Targets (NGAT) and companion Target Control Systems (TCS) assure the effectiveness and currency of warfighter weapon systems to combat real-world enemy fighters and cruise missiles. Aerial targets support adherence to Public Law Title 10, Section 2366, which requires major systems and munitions programs to conduct live fire survivability and lethality testing before full rate production. Targets are used to validate operational missile/weapon system effectiveness and fighter Operational Flight Program (OFP) updates. Targets are required for developmental/operational testing for all air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, and for the F-22A, F-35, F-18, F-16, F-15, among other aircraft. Funding supports simulator development and improvements on the QF-16 FSAT, BQM-167A SSAT, NGAT, and updates of Target Control Systems and specialized target payload subsystems for requirements such as: missile scoring, electronic attack (EA), infrared (IR) countermeasures, radar/IR signature augmentation, and chaff and flare dispensing systems. Enables analysis, development and prototyping of threat emulations/simulations, and presentation of evolving threat scenarios and target area environments to prepare for emerging weapons development activities. Development is required to evolve aerial targets and target control capabilities to meet current and future threats. Air Force is the executive agent for full-scale aerial targets. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY21 $0.0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY22 $0.0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 0305116F_7_3600_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY2022 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2023 through FY 2026 funding. Therefore, an explanation of the change between the two budget positions for FY2023 cannot be made in a relevant manner.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Ground and Sea Platforms
• Human Systems
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Aerial Targets
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Airframes
• Command And Control
• Control Systems
• Cruise Missiles
• Emerging Threats
• Engineering
• Product Development
• Product Prototyping
• Software Prototyping
• Systems Engineering
• Target Drones
• Test And Evaluation
• Weapon Systems

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems