Technology Maturation Initiatives

Abstract

Technology Maturation Initiatives further develops technology that is matured beyond the laboratory. Technology Maturation Initiatives builds on the Reaper and Multi Spectral Targeting System-C sensor, missile tracking technology successfully developed under the Discrimination Sensor Technology program element 0603177C, improving accuracy, adding range, and conducting operationally representative airborne sensor tests. This program element also incorporates industry technology breakthroughs to develop and demonstrate low to mid power lasers on a high altitude airborne platform. Together, these advanced components and tests address complex tracking, discrimination, and boost phase kill challenges for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) in support of the Strategic Command's Prioritized Capabilities List and address evolving threats to the homeland from the Pacific theatre. The MDA will develop two prototype airborne platforms, a laser demonstrator to address finding, tracking and engaging boosting missiles at the standoff ranges required for missile defense and an advanced sensor demonstrator for precision tracking and discrimination of lethal objects. The advanced sensor platform utilizes the operationally proven MQ-9 Reaper to provide a viable quick reaction capability once the technology is demonstrated. The MDA will choose a laser platform from industry concepts to address different requirements; high energy laser capable, larger aperture capacity and high altitude operation. MD98, Directed Energy Prototype Development, develops, integrates and tests laser and beam control systems on a high altitude airborne platform. This airborne platform addresses a broad spectrum of directed energy mission applications while developing a missile defense concept of operations doctrine for incorporating lasers into the BMDS. The MDA's directed energy plan incrementally demonstrates and improves the constituent components required to execute a directed energy kill chain; acquisition, tracking and lethality. Under the Directed Energy Prototype Development project, the Agency will select from industry concepts to integrate and test a low to mid power laser, nominally 10 to 150 kilowatts, on a high altitude airborne platform. Directed Energy Prototype Development shapes future BMDS acquisition decisions by advancing and documenting the technology readiness levels of emerging and developing technology, while simultaneously assessing the performance and contributions of the prototype systems to the BMDS architecture. The Directed Energy prototype addresses the following BMDS priorities: - Precisely tracking boosting missiles from launch detection through destruction - Cost effectively killing threat missiles in boost phase before they deploy multiple re-entry vehicles or countermeasures MD99, Discrimination Sensor Prototype Development, incrementally develops, integrates, and tests next-generation sensors and detectors on the operationally proven MQ-9 to demonstrate airborne Launch-on-Remote, Engage-on-Remote, discrimination and handover improvements for missile defense. These advanced sensors improve the probability of engagement success for stressing threats, expand the BMD battle space and increase the ability to negate larger raid sizes. The Discrimination Sensor prototype significantly enhances the following BMDS priorities: - Providing track information with sufficient quality for successful launch-on-remote/engage-on-remote intercepts - End-to-end correlation of sensor track and discrimination data - Discriminating lethal objects from countermeasures - Timely and accurate kill assessment MT99, Technology Maturation Initiatives Test, captures the cost to test the prototype systems developed under the Directed Energy Prototype Development and Discrimination Sensor Prototype Development projects under realistic conditions in conjunction with on-going BMDS testing and through dedicated live fire tests to inform continued prototype testing, full development and limited fielding decisions. MC98, Cyber Operations, sustains the MDA DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Program and Controls Validation Testing activities for Technology Maturation Initiatives. 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2017
Source ID
0604115C_4_0400_PB_2017
Change Summary Explanation
The FY 2017 funding adjustment reflects transfers of test related costs to the BMD Test program element (0603914C), and BMD Targets program element (0603915C).
Service Agency Name
Missile Defense Agency

Entities

Organizations

  • Missile Defense Agency

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Battle Management
  • Control Systems
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Defense Systems
  • Detectors
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • High Altitude
  • High Energy Lasers
  • Information Assurance
  • Information Systems
  • Laser Applications
  • Lasers
  • Product Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Cyber - Quantum
  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects

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