Technology Maturation Initiatives
Abstract
Technology Maturation Initiatives develops technology that is matured beyond the laboratory. Technology Maturation Initiatives builds on the MDA Configured Block 1 MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) 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 will transition to the use of Block 5 Big Wing (BW) MQ-9 RPA, equipped with an advanced sensor (tracking lasers, advanced detectors, infrared sensors, and precision tracking and discrimination algorithms). It 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 Commands Prioritized Capabilities List and address evolving threats to the homeland from the Pacific theater. MDA will develop cost effective technology demonstrators to address specific risks: - A high altitude low power laser equipped airborne system to demonstrate finding, tracking and engaging boosting missiles at the standoff ranges required for missile defense - An advanced sensor integrated into a MDA Configured MQ-9 to provide discrimination of lethal objects - An advanced sensor space payload that builds on the airborne discrimination program to demonstrate persistent overhead discrimination coverage - Continuation of testing of the passive MDA Configured MQ-9 system to validate performance against emerging advanced threats The Low Power Laser Demonstrator program integrates a tracking laser with a more powerful mission laser and larger beam control systems on a high altitude airborne platform. This airborne demonstrator addresses a broad spectrum of directed energy mission applications while refining a missile defense concept of operations doctrine for incorporating lasers into the BMDS. MDA's directed energy plan incrementally demonstrates and improves the constituent components required to execute a directed energy kill chain; acquisition, tracking and lethality. The Agency will select from industry concepts to integrate and test a low to mid power laser on a high altitude airborne platform. The Low Power Laser Demonstrator 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 to the BMDS architecture. The MDA Configured MQ-9 provides a low cost, mid-altitude unmanned test platform capable of carrying small laser and advanced sensor payloads. This platform allows MDA to introduce unmanned systems and tracking lasers into the BMDS, develop the associated concept of operations and provide the basis for a quick reaction precision tracking capability to augment radar. The advanced sensor incorporates incrementally developed, integrated, and tested next-generation sensors and detectors to demonstrate Launch-on-Remote, Engage-on-Remote, discrimination and handover improvements for missile defense first from the air and then from space. 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. To address emerging advanced threats, MDA may use MDA-configured MQ-9s to support hypersonic threat testing scenarios. FY 2017 Amended Budget Request Justification: $+9.100M addresses emergency warfighting readiness requirements to ensure readiness of the BMDS. $+9.100M Project MT99-Technology Maturation Initiatives Test/Technology Maturation Initiatives Test to leverage an upcoming hypersonic test event for data collection, and to support threat model validation, detection, tracking and simulated engagement concepts evaluation to address an Emerging Threat and to investigate and demonstrate sensors and systems for integrating left and right of launch.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- 0604115C_4_0400_PB_2018
- Change Summary Explanation
- The decrease in FY2018 from PB17 to PB18 reflects a realignment of department priorities and reduction of funding in Directed Energy. FY 2017 Amended Budget Request Justification: $+9.100M is required to address emergency warfighting readiness requirements to ensure readiness of the BMDS.
- Service Agency Name
- Missile Defense Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Missile Defense Agency
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