Ballistic Missile Defense Test and Targets

Abstract

The FY 2011 program is balanced reflecting the four focus areas of the current Missile Defense Program: to develop, rigorously test, and field an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) architecture to counter existing regional threats, continue a viable Homeland Defense against rogue threats beyond 2030; demonstrate our proven technologies to show Missile Defense works; and develop technologies to hedge against future missile threat growth. The best way to dissuade, deter, and defeat ballistic missile threats is through integrated ballistic missile defense capabilities -- weapons, sensors, and Command and Control Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC). A potential or actual attack may cross regions and may fly higher and faster than stand-alone, autonomous capabilities operated by a single Military Service can defend against. Integrated BMD capabilities draw on space-, land-, and sea-based assets operated by multiple Services to provide both the best sensor information on the enemy missile`s location and track as well as a more diverse and effective set of weapon options for the Combatant Commander to defeat the attack -- all connected by a unifying C2BMC system. As a result, an effort funded in a Program Element may be critical to the success of efforts in the other Program Elements -- we refer to these connections as ``interdependencies``. Throughout the budget justification materials we have attempted to highlight interdependencies in order to fully explain the relationship between different parts of the proposed program. As part of the total Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), the Test and Targets Program Element (PE) provides the resources, including targets and countermeasures development, for an integrated system-level test approach, bringing together the capabilities of the BMDS elements. The BMD Test organization executes tests to prove out BMDS Integrated Build C and Build D capabilities of: Broad Ocean Area Boost Phase and Burn Out State Data C2BMC Generation of Link-16 based BMD System Track Aegis BMD Launch on Link-16 based BMD System Track Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Extremely High Frequency Warfighter Elements of Essential Information Peer-to-Peer Engagement Coordination limited (Aegis-Aegis, THAAD-PATRIOT) Improved Sensor Registration (C2BMC, Aegis) Increased Peer-to-Peer Engagement Coordination The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently initiated a systematic review of BMDS testing that will establish a new convention for setting test objectives that go beyond simply exercising newly delivered elements of the system. For the BMDS test Program, MDA is transitioning from ``architecture-based`` test objectives to ``technical parameter-based`` test objectives to anchor models and simulations (M&S). The BMDS performance evaluation strategy is to develop models and simulations of the BMDS and compare their predictions to empirical data collected through comprehensive flight and ground testing to validate their accuracy, rather than physically testing all combinations of BMDS configurations and engagements. Critical Engagement Conditions (CECs) and Empirical Measurement Events (EMEs) are the conditions and events ;where data is obtained from flight and ground tests in order to anchor models and simulations. CECs and ;EMEs are utilized to design ;a test engagement to further advance the understanding and confidence of the modeling and simulation associated with all possible engagements. In FY 2009, BMD System Level CECs and EMEs were identified. By the end of FY10, BMD System Level CECs and EMEs are projected to yield 33% of the data collected in the Test Program reflected in the Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP). For FY 2011, there are scheduled to be 928 collection opportunities for BMD System Level CECs and EMEs, yielding 47% of the data to be collected in the Test Program reflected in the IMTP. This yield is projected to reach 60% by end of FY 2012, 74% by end of FY 2013, 77% by end of FY 2014, and 94% by end of FY 2015. MDA testing is based on an integrated, comprehensive, and phased test program. MDA ground tests emulates the quality of service (that is, data of sufficient accuracy and low enough latency) of C2BMC and sensors. Testing Element systems, subsystems, and components early in the development is necessary prior to conducting BMD-System level testing. The Element Level testing is funded as part of an Element developmental program and contained in their respective Program Element (PE) submissions. This PE provides consolidated MDA-wide capabilities and resources for the, planning, design, execution, provision of infrastructure, and management of BMD System testing. This PE also provides funding to the Operational Test Agencies (OTA) which are active in all phases of test planning, execution and post-test analysis, to include the development of the IMTP. The Missile Defense Agency IMTP established and documents the test requirements for the BMDS with specific focus on collecting the data needed for the Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) of the BMDS models and simulations. MDA has a set of Unifying Missile Defense Functions (UMDFs), which increase the effectiveness of the BMD System (including probability of engagement success, increase in defended area and raid size capacity, additional redundancy of architecture, unity of command) through the integration of MDA developed capabilities. These UMDF efforts are Sensor Registration (reporting of sensor errors / biases), Correlation (ensuring the information from multiple sensors seeing a threat relates to the same object), System Track (creating a single engageable track of a threat from multiple reports provided by different land, sea, and space based multiple sensors), Discrimination (identifying object details to determine the target from debris or decoys), Battle Management (combining the best sensors and shooters to ensure the highest probability of a kill), Hit / Kill Assessment (determining if the target selected was destroyed after missile impact), and Communications (providing the worldwide connection of sensors and shooters to command authorities). UMDFs are implemented across the BMDS elements to create and utilize system level data and decisions that allow Combatant Commanders the ability to automatically and manually optimize sensor coverage and interceptor inventory to defend against all ranges of ballistic threats. The Test and Targets Program Element is grouped into three major areas: Test Functional Area and Test Execution; Targets and Countermeasures; and Concurrent Test, Training, and Operations (CTTO). Other test related program content involving Engineering Test Analysis, Facilities Siting, and Environmental Management, and Fielding and Integration is also included within this Program Element. BMDS Test Program Functions: The Directorate for Test centralizes authority, control, and responsibility for all BMDS testing. Plans tests according to BMDS and Element objectives. Provides test ranges, instrumentation, and infrastructure. Develops MDA test policy. Plans and executes BMDS ground and flight tests. Demonstrates integrated BMDS capability. Addresses critical measurements for growth and capability. Collects data for BMDS analysis and manages MDA data centers. Provides documentation of BMDS and Element performance results for use by MDA, the OTAs, the Combatant Commander`s, OSD, Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), and senior decision makers. Provides data and information to anchor the models and simulations used to verify BMDS capabilities and to support BMDS characterization and assessment. Test and Evaluation Contribution to the BMDS: Plan and conduct testing of the BMDS CECs and EMEs** developed by Systems Engineering. Collect and provide test data in order to support the effectiveness, suitability, survivability, and interoperability assessments of the BMDS. Provide infrastructure and environmental compliance necessary to support increasingly complex tests. Provide risk reduction for the BMDS through flight testing to include technology demonstration, algorithm and model validation, and threat characterization. Develop Missile Defense Agency (MDA) BMDS testing policy with common, repeatable processes. ** CECs/EMEs are the conditions and events where data is obtained from flight and ground tests in order to anchor system models and simulations. Major Test and Evaluation Goals: Form one BMDS test team that is accountable to the MDA Director and Element program directors. Provide leadership and guidance for the planning, execution, analysis, and reporting of BMD system test events to support system verification. Provide leadership and guidance under for planning, execution, analysis, and reporting of BMD system test events to support system verification. Establish single BMD system test processes that reflect the best practices of existing Element processes. Benchmark and merge existing Elements and executing processes into BMDS processes. Develop Element Lessons Learned and Best Practices to support single BMDS test design processes. Provide required infrastructure and environmental compliance for robust BMD system testing. Ensure test readiness, realism, and accuracy and improve the quality of execution in test programs. BMDS Targets and Countermeasures Program: The BMDS Targets and Countermeasures program provides threat representative targets to effectively demonstrate capability of the evolving layered missile defense system in a simultaneous test and operations operating environment. Based on the systems engineering assessments of realistic threat scenarios, the targets and countermeasures program develops, acquires and launches short, medium, intermediate, and long range capability-based targets, to include Foreign Materiel Acquisitions, with enhanced payloads to test, verify, and validate the performance of the BMDS. Funding for Targets and Countermeasures supports the continuation of the target program`s source activities which include the requirements, design, build, and test of BMDS targets, associated payloads, and flight missions. It also supports the maintenance, aging surveillance, refurbishment, and routine testing of existing Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) boosters and target components, as well as the purchase of long lead material assets and asset management items for short, medium, intermediate, and long-range target components. Target Test Execution: The Target Test Execution functional group provides expertise and consistency in target mission operations, target test designs, and cryptographic management to support effective orchestration and synchronization of the BMDS test program. The Target Test Execution Functional Group consists of Target Launch Operations, Test Engineering and COMSEC management functions. The Test Engineering function synchronizes test activities across target programs and Ballistic Missile Defense System elements. The Test Engineers conduct long range target test planning activities and provide target subject matter experts to Ballistic Missile Defense System test planning activities. The Target Launch Operations group conducts target mission planning, coordinates target range and mission requirements through the Universal Documentation System (UDS) and provides target technical information to the Missile Defense Agency`s General Council to support treaty approvals. The Target Launch Operations Group is the primary link between the target developer and the Ballistic Missile Defense System test community, incorporating target system constraints into the BMDS mission countdown and launch constraints. The Target COMSEC engineers coordinate with target program managers to obtain National Security Agency approvals for target encryption designs and coordinates with MDA Security Operations to obtain authority to operate. BMDS Targets and Countermeasures Functions: The Targets and Countermeasures program office centralizes authority, control, and responsibility in executing the development, procurement, and use of targets to support testing of the BMDS. Provides threat representative targets for the BMDS to verify models and simulations, as well as to verify BMDS performance across a broad range of operational conditions. Targets and Countermeasures Contribution to the BMDS: Provides the BMDS with multiple targets (3 types) across four target classes: Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM), Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM), Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM), and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). Type 1 Targets are simple, baseline configurations Type 2 Targets have increased capability or complexity Type 3 Targets are one of a kind design/development or launch activity Provides the BMDS risk reduction through measurements of flight testing to include technology demonstration algorithms, model validation, and threat and countermeasures characterization. Collects and provides test data in order to support effectiveness, suitability, and interoperability assessments. Major Targets and Countermeasures Goals: Provides MDA cost effective, threat representative all up round targets, missions planning, BMDS modeling and simulation, and execution and launch services. Concurrent Test, Training and Operations (CTTO) The Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Concurrent Test, Training, and Operations (CTTO) provides comprehensive, in-place, geographically dispersed upgrades, testing, training, and sustainment while maintaining operational readiness across the complete Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Enterprise. This CTTO capability will enable simultaneous cross-element training events in the field during BMDS incremental and spiral development testing and sustained operational readiness conditions without degrading protection capability. The BMDS CTTO capability is required in the JFCC-IMD Modifications Requirement List (MRL). Concurrent Test, Training and Operations Functions: Increase confidence in the BMDS through rigorous concurrent test, training, and operations. Enable BMDS testing and training in the field without degrading protection capability. Sustain Combatant Commanders BMDS operations while simultaneously supporting concurrent BMDS systems development and acquisition to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends, and allies. Safely inject consistent high fidelity test and evaluation threat data on operational equipment to exercise all phases of the kill chain using all sensor/shooter combinations. Aid in Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, THAAD, Ground-based Midcourse Defense, sensors and fire control standardization evaluation and certification for all BMDS personnel and ensures all crews are highly qualified to perform their mission-specific tasks by conducting exercises and wargames executed from actual equipment and networked configurations. Concurrent Test, Training, and Operations Contribution to the BMDS: Enables BMDS sustained operational capability and continued BMDS incremental and spiral development while providing Warfighters the ability to maintain an operational capability, participate in exercises, train, and mission rehearse. Provides comprehensive, in-place, geographically dispersed test, evaluation and training of the complete BMDS. Ensures horizontal and vertical test and evaluation scalability from Element through Global BMDS. Safely injects consistent high fidelity threat and scenario data on operational equipment to exercise all phases of the kill chain using all sensor/shooter combinations. Strategic end-state: BMDS available on-demand for test and evaluation, training, and operations that is transparent to real world operations. Major Concurrent Test, Training and Operations Goals: Develop and implement requirements, plan for and adequately resource through the Agency planning and budgeting process, for the capabilities necessary to achieve a CTTO capability for the BMDS. Increase Warfighter confidence in the BMDS. Enable BMDS testing and training in the field without degrading protection capability. Sustain BMDS operations while simultaneously supporting concurrent BMDS systems development and acquisition without degrading protection capability. Ensure horizontal and vertical CTTO scalability from MDA Element through global BMDS. Safely inject consistent high fidelity threat and scenario data on operational equipment to exercise all phases of the kill chain using all sensor and shooter combinations. Support the development and evaluation of Warfighter Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures at the BMDS level.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0603888C_4_0400_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2009 decrease driven by SBIR/STTR transfer of budget out of the Test and Targets PE. No FY 2011 data provided in PB10.
• Service Agency Name: Missile Defense Agency

Entities

Organizations

• Missile Defense Agency

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Human Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Accuracy
• Aerial Warfare
• Air Force
• Business Administration
• Data Analysis
• Engineers
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
• Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles
• Management Personnel
• Rockets
• Short Range Ballistic Missiles
• Software Testing
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Facilities
• Test Methods
• Unified Combatant Commands

Readers

• Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

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