Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors

Abstract

The BMDS network of layered Sensors provides essential data for the command and control of BMDS weapon systems, such as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD). These sensors, connected to the BMDS through Command and Control, Battle Management, Communications (C2BMC), enable detection and tracking of targets, and provide fire-control quality ballistic missile position, velocity, and discrimination data to BMDS weapon systems. Overlapping sensor coverage, with a diversity of sensor types, improves target detection, tracking, discrimination and kill assessments, while reducing potential impact of countermeasures. The extended sensor coverage and accuracy provided by a network of layered sensors reduces the number of target engagements required, conserves interceptor inventory, and ensures a high probability of successful engagement. The BMD Sensors Program contributes to regional missile defense through the following activities: - Development, delivery and deployment of Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2) radars for either forward-based or THAAD Fire Unit use to meet warfighter needs - Operations and sustainment of deployed AN/TPY-2 radars in Japan, Israel, and other locations (to be determined) AN/TPY-2 radars can be configured to operate either as a THAAD Fire Unit Radar (THAAD mode) or Forward-Based Radar. These radars are transportable, adding flexibility to respond to geographical changes in threats. Under this Program Element, six AN/TPY-2 radars have completed manufacturing. The AN/TPY-2 used in a forward-based role provides detection and tracking during the boost phase. This significantly reduces the uncertainty in target discrimination and reaction time, increasing the probability of a successful BMDS engagement. In forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 also provides acquisition and track data via the Ballistic Missile Defense System Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) and Link 16 to the Aegis missile defense system for cueing. The AN/TPY-2 used in THAAD mode is an integral component of the THAAD Battery. The THAAD battery radar is capable of tracking multiple threats and multiple interceptors during engagements in the terminal phase. It provides surveillance, acquisition, track, discrimination, interceptor communications, and hit assessment data collection for the fire control. The current and planned utilization of the AN/TPY-2 radars supports GMD, THAAD, and the Aegis Weapon System via C2BMC. BMDS regional defense includes the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA). This approach was developed in response to the rapid proliferation of short and medium range ballistic missiles in Iran and the threat they pose to U.S. Allies and partners, as well as to U.S. deployed personnel in the Middle East and in Europe. By leveraging recent advances in sensor and interceptor technologies, the United States will counter this growing regional threat with a flexible and adaptable integration of systems. The United States is pursuing a four phased approach which will provide a more effective missile defense capability for defense of NATO territories and enhance U.S. homeland defense. It will be complementary to and interoperable with those being developed by NATO, and applicable in other theaters around the world. U.S. missile defense will be more adaptable and flexible in order to counter threat advances and provide increased defended areas over time. The initial phase includes the deployment of current and proven missile defense, including the sea-based Aegis Weapons System, the SM-3 interceptor (Block IA), and sensors such as the forward-based AN/TPY-2. Subsequent phases will be implemented based on technical maturity, appropriate testing, and threat driven requirements. The BMDS Sensors program also includes the Groundbased Radar - Prototype (GBR-P) -- a large, steerable, X-band phased array radar currently located at the Reagan Test Site (RTS), Kwajalein Atoll. This radar is currently maintained in caretaker status and is available to support BMDS testing and X-Band software development efforts. The BMDS Sensors program contributes to U.S. homeland defense through the following activities: - Operations and sustainment of the COBRA DANE radar - Upgrade of the Thule Early Warning Radar (EWR) to add missile defense capability to this sensor - Upgrade of the Clear, AK Early Warning Radar The Thule UEWR located at Thule Air Base, Greenland, is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radar that has been upgraded (completed in FY 2010) to include missile defense functionality. This capability expands defense of the U.S. to include defense against limited Iranian long-range threats. The Cobra Dane radar located at Eareckson AFS, Shemya, Alaska (AK) is also part of the BMDS Homeland Defense architecture. The Clear EWR located at Clear Air Force Station, AK, is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radar that is being upgraded to include missile defense functionality. The addition of the Clear UEWR into the BMDS sensor architecture will improve BMDS sensor coverage and provide new engagement options against long-range missile threats and reduce reliance on the Cobra Dane asset. The BMDS Sensors Program also contributes to the testing and proving of the U.S. missile defense systems through the following activities: - Participation in BMDS flight and ground test campaigns - Modeling and simulation efforts to include: enhanced sensor models, development of radio frequency (RF) scene generators, integration of digital simulations into the BMDS modeling and simulation architecture, and verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) of radar models - Development and implementation of Concurrent, Test, Training, and Operations (CTTO) capabilities To hedge against future ballistic missile threats, the Sensors Program supports the following activities: - Development of advanced radar discrimination algorithms and Common X-Band software for X-Band radars to address evolving threats - Operations and support of the External Sensors Lab (ESL) -- a research and development lab critical to researching potential capabilities gained from sensors external to the BMDS; after FY 2011, the MDA Directorate of Advanced Technology will assume responsibility for the ESL; funding will reside in the Advanced Technology Program Element (0603175C); the ESL technology effort supports evolution and advances for the BMDS Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Architecture (BOA) capabilities, as well as the development of the Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS) and Airborne Infrared (ABIR) sensor capabilities.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0603884C_4_0400_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: Beginning in FY 2012 funding was realigned from this RDT&E PE to the BMDS Radars O&M line to fund the operation and maintenance of AN/TPY-2 radars. Other adjustments include MDA programmatic changes. This RDT&E program has realized $35.504 million in efficiency savings.
• Service Agency Name: Missile Defense Agency

Entities

Organizations

• Missile Defense Agency

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Cyber
• Sensors
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Artificial Satellites
• Ballistic Missiles
• Battle Management
• Communication Equipment
• Computer Networks
• Defense Systems
• Detectors
• Information Assurance
• Logistics
• Logistics Support
• Radar
• Radio Frequency
• Reliability
• Test And Evaluation
• Unified Combatant Commands
• United States Central Command

Readers

• Missile Defense Systems.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Space Objects