Technical Applications Programs

Abstract

Project 2228 consists of three elements: D5LE2 Life Extension, Multi-Start Enhanced Pre-Launch, and Modeling and Simulation. D5LE2 Life Extension: The Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile SLBM is the most survivable leg of the triad and foundational to STRATCOMs deterrence strategy. The heart of the SLBM capability is the D5LE Strategic Weapon System (SWS) currently hosted aboard the OHIO platform and planned to be the initial SWS on the COLUMBIA platform. D5LE cannot support the COLUMBIA platform throughout its predicted service life (2084) due to age, attrition, and obsolescence of critical components within the system. Aging components (such as Flight Electronics, and Guidance) fall below requirements as early as the late 2030s and non-aging components are attritted by flight tests and spares consumption and fall below requirements shortly thereafter. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review identified the need for Strategic systems to be more flexible and adaptable in the face of adversaries who are increasingly showing the ability to quickly deploy enhanced capabilities. The D5LE2 weapon system will not only need to deliver the range and accuracy of the current system, but must do so in the face of an adversary with improved defensive capabilities which will drive the need for additional attributes to increase the probability of survival. Meeting these new and evolving requirements will require that the D5LE2 architecture be developed so that it can be tailored to meet the uncertain future requirements. Being able to expand at the speed of relevance will result in an architecture which will be based on modular interfaces which enables flexibility and adaptability. The need for technology that is not part of the current design will be critical to being able to provide a system which meets and adapts with these new requirements. Previous experience has shown that the timeline for developing new technologies for the use in this challenging environment routinely spans 10 years. Therefore, enabling technologies for D5LE2 must be started in anticipation of program need to avoid putting unacceptable risk in the execution of the program of record. The D5LE2 acquisition strategy technology investments are based on the current Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (TRL/MRL) by commodity and are time phased to support reaching an appropriate TRL/MRL by Systems Engineering Milestones. The technology investments are architecture agnostic (i.e. they must be developed regardless of the System Study results) for the fundamental building blocks for the Strategic Weapons System. D5LE2 Technology Development targets replacements for legacy D5 and D5LE technologies now obsolete with manufacturing lines shutdown that are required regardless of architecture chosen (e.g. radiation hardened parts) and/or have long lead development timelines. Technology advancements and improved system architecture concepts will unlock existing system capability, and add flexibility/adaptability, manufacturability, SWS operations, and sustainability. In order to support STRATCOM without gapping capability, SSP must begin architecture agnostic technology maturation on unique strategic components in FY20 and initiate studies to identify a modernized System Level Architecture. FY20 scope has been reduced to only those areas most critical to The System Concepts Baseline Refinement (SCR), which is on the critical path to System Requirements Review (SRR). Additionally, FY20 is focused on filling requirements voids in the areas of Threat Effectiveness, Cyber Vulnerabilities, evaluating the SWS contribution to platform survivability, and developing the utility curves by which concepts will be evaluated. FY21 iterates on the work done in FY20 and key architecture decisions will be made. The FY20 and FY21 plans are based and timed on historical execution to support the proposed D5LE2 timeline. The system studies are phased to support an iterative update to the D5LE2 concept baseline culminating in a sufficiently refined system concept and requirements to support an SRR in mid FY25. Multi Star Enhanced Pre-Launch: The Multi Star Enhanced Prelaunch (MEP) project leverages the capability of the D5 Life Extension Guidance (Mk6 Mod1) to sight two stars vice one combined with the interface updates to the Fire Control and Navigation subsystem, allowing for improved in-flight correction. This capability reduces Weapon System reliance on Global Positioning System (GPS) and Bathymetry data which allows for operation in environments where GPS is denied and supports Submarine security during patrol. This capability also has potential for future relief to the strict tolerance requirements of the strategic navigator on the current OHIO Class Submarines and the COLUMBIA class program. Modeling and Simulation: The Systems Engineering Modeling and Simulation capability will consist of three elements: Model Based Design, Strategic Weapon System (SWS) Integrated Modeling and Simulation/Common Architecture & Framework, and SWS Enhancement Ground Test. This effort will provide the capability to comprehensively evaluate and test the integrated SWS within representative operational environments, providing unprecedented visibility across the SWS and system performance characterization equivalent to flight testing. This capability will enable trade space analysis to identify technical margin, subsystem interactions, and lifecycle affordability opportunities to include other services and be able to identify the benefits and risks of commonality to the individual programs, requirements and CONOPs modifications that could facilitate commonality, potential common acquisition strategies between the services, and total life cycle cost implications.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 2228_0101221N_7_1319_PB_2021

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Missile Defense Systems.
• Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Microelectronics
• Space