Aerial Target System Dev
Abstract
The mission of the Aerial Target Systems Development program is the design and development of threat representative subsonic and supersonic aerial targets that simulate threat weapon systems. In addition to representative air vehicles, this includes development of Target Control (TC) systems, and associated Target Augmentation and Auxiliary Systems (TA/AS) which are used to replicate specific threats. Targets are developed to support test and evaluation of combat systems required to defend fleet surface and air units in a hostile environment. As to specific hardware development, this project includes: - Supersonic Targets: GQM-163A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) and GQM-173A Multi-Stage Supersonic Target (MSST) . Supersonic targets represent supersonic anti-ship cruise missile threats. The design and development of GQM-163A SSST capabilities provide threat representative targets that are used in direct support of Developmental Test and Evaluation, Operational Test and Evaluation, and Live Fire Test and Evaluation of major combat weapons programs and, to a lesser degree, support fleet training. GQM-163A is a non-recoverable supersonic sea skimming aerial target, capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2.5 and cruise altitudes from 15 to 66 ft. The GQM-163A has also demonstrated a capability to perform a higher altitude diving threat profile. Funding is also provided for closing out the GQM-173A MSST development effort. - Subsonic Targets: BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) development primarily represents subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats, replacing legacy BQM-34 and BQM-74 targets with a modernized subsonic target with increased capabilities. The BQM-177A SSAT provides threat representation for developmental and operational Test & Evaluation events of major combat weapons systems programs and in support of fleet training events. Specifically, the BQM-177A provides critical live-fire Test and Evaluation events for AEGIS, SM-6, SM-2, RAM, and ESSM. - TTSP and TC and TA/AS development: The Target Threat Simulation Program (TTSP) provides the payload equipment required to electronically enhance aerial/surface targets to provide threat representative Radio Frequency signatures, specifically the Electronic Attack and Threat Radar Emissions (Active Emitters). TC provides command and control of targets to enable the execution of threat-representative mission profiles. The mission also includes the design, development and qualification of various Target Mission Support Systems including but not limited to: Scalar Scorers, Scoring Ground Station, Telemetry Antennas, Radar and Locator Beacons, Identification, Friend or Foe, and associated Test Sets. TA/AS enables each target to be uniquely configured for specific mission profiles and provide high fidelity simulation of foreign threats. TA/AS-configured targets are used for radar acquisition test, electronic countermeasures (jamming) evaluation, infrared measurement and testing, radar cross section evaluation, decoy-effectiveness testing, maneuver analysis, electronic warfare evaluation, warhead-effectiveness testing and evaluation of fleet tactics. TA/AS scoring capabilities include both surface and airborne scalar and vector scoring systems. In addition to the design and development of target hardware and software, funding supports studies performed by a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) to specify and verify needed target performance for future target development. For the design and validation of targets under development, the UARC will provide engineering studies in areas such as structures, controls, guidance, and propulsion. For those hardware and software items presently under development by commercial vendors, the UARC will provide oversight and validation of vendor design and development approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 0609_0604258N_6_1319_PB_2017
Related Documents
- Root: Target Systems Development
- Child Accomplishment: Supersonic Targets
- Child Accomplishment: Subsonic Targets
- Child Accomplishment: Target Threat Simulation Program (TTSP), Target Control (TC) and Target Augmentation and Auxiliary Systems (TA/AS)