Technology Maturation Initiatives
Abstract
Technology Maturation Initiative (TMI) develops technology that is matured beyond the laboratory. TMI focuses on improved accuracy, adding range, and conducting operationally representative airborne sensor tests using MDA Configured MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), equipped with advanced sensors (tracking lasers, advanced detectors, infrared sensors, and precision tracking and discrimination algorithms). It 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 (LPLD) program integrates a tracking laser with a more powerful mission laser and larger beam control system 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 LPLD shapes future BMDS acquisition choice by advancing and citing 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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 0604115C_4_0400_PB_2019
- Change Summary Explanation
- Reduction to Directed Energy efforts in FY 2019 from PB18 to PB19 reflects a realignment of funds to continue focus on increasing BMD system reliability to build Warfighter confidence.
- Service Agency Name
- Missile Defense Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Missile Defense Agency
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