Discrimination Sensor Technology

Abstract

Discrimination Sensor Technology develops solutions to improve identifying, acquiring, tracking and discriminating incoming Ballistic Missile threats, supporting the US Strategic Command's Prioritized Capabilities List. Areas of concentration include advanced detectors, infrared sensors, focal planes and algorithms for ground, sea, air and space systems. Sensor technology enhances the BMDS capability to develop precision tracks and to discriminate lethal objects among the incoming threat cluster. The Discrimination Sensor Technology program funds the demonstration of Aegis Launch on Remote real time stereo tracking with Multi-Spectral Targeting System -Cs integrated into MQ-9 Reapers. Aegis Launch on Remote is the capability that allows Aegis BMD to launch an interceptor before its own radar acquires the threat, greatly expanding the space where the Aegis BMD can intercept the threat and significantly extending the defended area. In FY 2014, the MDA was successful in testing the Multi-Spectral Targeting System -B variant integrated onto the MQ-9 Reaper at the Pacific Missile Range Facility proving that the Aegis weapon system could launch a Standard Missile-3 against a ballistic missile target and achieve intercept using the tracking data from the airborne Multi-Spectral Targeting System sensors. In FY 2015, Discrimination Sensor Technology performed System Integration Laboratory and ground testing in preparation for flight testing the MQ-9 with a Multi-spectral Targeting System -C and flew the Reaper in missile defense configuration (Multi-spectral Targeting System -C mounted on a forward fuselage extension, a Ruggedized Airborne Processor and special software) for the first time. In FY 2016, the MDA will participate in Controlled Test Vehicle -02 (CTV-02) to test Multi-Spectral Targeting System equipped MQ-9 Reapers specifically modified to accomplish missile defense tracking missions. The MD95, Discrimination Sensor Technology project, funds the prime contract integration and system test, checkout flights, and performance analysis. Discrimination Sensor Technology incrementally builds on the airborne Multi-Spectral Targeting System -B Launch on Remote demonstrations using airborne Multi-Spectral Targeting System -C sensors integrated into MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The Discrimination Sensor Technology program will demonstrate the increased Electro Optical/Infrared capability of Multi-Spectral Targeting System -C airborne sensors for precision track Launch on Remote and discrimination over Multi-Spectral Targeting System -Bs as a precursor to advanced sensor equipped Multi-Spectral Targeting System -C prototype development and test under the Technology Maturation Initiatives program element. The MT95, Discrimination Sensor Technology Flight Test Execution project, funds the costs associated with Multi-Spectral Targeting System -C/MQ-9 Reaper participation in BMDS testing including prime contract test execution, MQ-9 operations and maintenance, and Enterprise Sensors Laboratory and Space & Naval Warfare Systems Center interfaces. MDA collaborates with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the United States Navy and the United States Air Force in a systems engineering based strategy to research, develop, test and evaluate Discrimination Sensor Technology. The Discrimination Sensor Technology test program includes Air Force provided F-16 aircraft for use as surrogate targets and sharing of Multi-Spectral Targeting System -C test data between the MDA and the Air Force to augment sensor characterization activities. This technology significantly enhances the following BMDS priorities: - Precision track of multiple objects to enable missile defense components to engage-on-remote - Discriminating lethal objects from countermeasures - End-to-end correlation of sensor track and discrimination data The Discrimination Sensor Technology program element development and test results directly feed sensor prototype demonstrations in the Technology Maturation Initiatives program element 0604115C. MC98, Cyber Operations, sustains the MDA DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Program and Controls Validation Testing activities for Discrimination Sensor Technology. MD40 Program-Wide Support (PWS) consists of essential non-headquarters management efforts providing integrated and efficient support to MDA functions and activities across the entire BMDS.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: 0603177C_3_0400_PB_2017
• Change Summary Explanation: The $1.387M reduction in FY 2015 is due to a realignment of Department of Defense priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Missile Defense Agency

Entities

Organizations

• Missile Defense Agency

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Ballistic Missiles
• Battle Management
• Department Of Defense
• Detectors
• Ground Control Stations
• Information Assurance
• Information Systems
• Infrared Detectors
• Space Objects
• Space Systems
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Equipment
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Readers

• Missile Defense Systems.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Cyber - Quantum
• Space
• Space - Space Objects