Aerial Target System Dev
Abstract
The Aerial Target Systems Development program designs and develops threat representative subsonic and supersonic targets and associated payloads to emulate threat weapon systems and aircraft. 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 and auxiliary payloads 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: Portfolio includes GQM-163A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) and AQM-88 Supersonic Air Launch Target (SALT) programs. Supersonic targets represent supersonic anti-ship cruise missile threats. The design and development of GQM-163A 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. Critical live-fire Test and Evaluation events are supported for AEGIS CG and DDG Mods, DDG-51 Flight III, DDG-1000, LHA 8, CVN-79 LPD Flight II, and LSD-41/49 (SM-6, SM-2, RAM, and ESSM). The GQM-163A is a non-recoverable supersonic sea skimming aerial target, capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2.5 and cruise altitudes from 13.0 to 66K feet. The GQM-163A has also demonstrated higher altitude diving threat profiles. Funding may also be used to begin development of potential future supersonic targets to keep pace with emerging threats. - Subsonic Targets: Portfolio includes BQM-177A, and BQM-34S & BQM-167 subsonic target programs. The BQM-177A SSAT development primarily represents subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats, replacing legacy BQM-74E 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 SSAT provides critical live-fire test and evaluation events for AEGIS CG and DDG Mods, DDG-51 Flight III, CVN-79, LHA-8, LPD Flight II, JSF, E-2D, SM-6, SM-2, RAM, and ESSM. BQM-34s are undergoing product improvement program efforts to address component obsolescence and improve current performance to meet evolving Fleet training requirements and weapon system test events. The BQM-167A is utilized by operational aviation squadrons that participate in Navy Weapon System Evaluation Program (NWSEP) at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. NWSEP is the traditional mechanism for aviation squadrons to accomplish Training and Readiness (T&R) requirements provided by Non-Combat Expenditure Allocation (NCEA) of air-to-air weapons as part of Fleet Readiness Plans (FRP) prior to deployment. - Target Augmentation and Auxiliary Systems (TA/AS): Includes Target Threat Simulation Program (TTSP), Target Mission Support Systems (TMSS), and Target Control (TC). The TTSP portfolio provides the payload equipment required to electronically enhance aerial targets to provide threat representative radio frequency signatures, specifically the electronic attack and threat radar emissions (active emitters). Development of threat representative simulation components is on-going and required to keep pace with evolving threats and ensure that the Navy's threat simulation capabilities remain relevant against emerging threats. TC provides command and control of targets to enable the safe execution of threat-representative mission profiles. The mission also includes the design, development and qualification of various TMSS projects including but not limited to: Target RF datalink hardware, ground control hardware and software, scorer transponders, scoring ground stations, telemetry antennas, radar and locator beacons, identification, friend or foe transponders, and associated test sets. TA/AS enables each target to be uniquely configured for specific mission profiles and provide for 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. Scoring capabilities include both surface and airborne scalar scoring systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0609_0604258N_6_1319_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: Target Systems Development
- Child Accomplishment: Supersonic Targets - Development & Upgrades of Supersonic targets
- Child Accomplishment: Subsonic Targets - Development & Upgrades of Subsonic aerial targets
- Child Accomplishment: Target Augmentation and Auxiliary Systems (TA/AS)