Technical Applications Programs

Abstract

Project 2228 consists of three elements: D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2), Multi-Start Enhanced Pre-Launch (MEP) (effort completed in FY 2022), and Systems Engineering Modeling and Simulation (effort completes in FY 2023). Trident II D5 Modernization (D5LE2): The Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) is the most survivable leg of the triad and foundational to the nation's deterrence strategy. The heart of the SLBM capability is the D5LE Strategic Weapon System (SWS) currently hosted aboard the OHIO platform throughout its remaining service life. D5LE is planned to be the initial SWS on the COLUMBIA platform but cannot support the platform throughout its predicted service life (through 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 reduced by flight tests and spares consumption and fall below requirements shortly thereafter. As the D5LE missile inventory cannot be extended further, the D5LE SWS will require a significant modernization - D5LE2 - which is required to support COLUMBIA missile inventory and loadouts. The nation's Strategic Systems must be more adaptable and resilient in the face of adversaries who are increasingly showing the ability to quickly deploy capabilities that threaten the effectiveness of the existing strategic deterrent. Adaptability and resiliency will be required for the D5LE2 system in order to meet established STRATCOM requirements for the life of the COLUMBIA Class. The D5LE2 weapon system modernization and these attributes will address the COLUMBIA Class service life requirement by delivering the range and accuracy of the current system, and address the threat of near peer adversaries' improved defensive capabilities by maintaining a credible and survivable strategic deterrent. Meeting these new and evolving challenges will require that the D5LE2 architecture be designed so that it can address evolving threats and defensive capabilities in a timely manner. Being able to adapt at the speed of relevance will require an architecture based on modular interfaces that maximize margin unlocked via critical technologies. D5LE2's schedule is directly analogous to the previous life extension's (D5LE) executed schedule which began concept studies in the late 1990s, began design in 2004, completed design in 2011, and deployed in 2017. D5LE2 encompasses significantly more scope than D5LE on a similar timeline. Funding is required in the pre-SPALT (Strategic Systems Programs Alterations) development phase of the program to mature enabling technologies for D5LE2 in anticipation of long lead material procurements starting in 2030; therefore, significant technology investments must be continued in 2024 to support execution of the program of record. To ensure that key technologies have reached appropriate maturation and been tested in a relevant environment prior to the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in FY 2028, funding to improve Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (TRL/MRL) by commodity is phased according to complexity and need. D5LE2 is focused on maturation of critical technologies required to modernize the Navy's SWS. The technology investments are architecture agnostic (i.e. they must be developed regardless of the design of the architecture) and represent the fundamental building blocks for the SWS. The ability to rapidly mature these technologies represents the single greatest risk mitigation to the program. D5LE2 strategic modernization efforts will focus on critical technologies such as: - Post Boost Control System (PBCS) Technologies utilizing high refractory metal - Next Generation Low - Size Weight and Power (SWaP) Guidance Inertial Instruments and Components - Strategic Radiation Hardened Electronics - Modernized Structural Components (e.g. Nose Fairing and Equipment Section) 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 maturity and development timelines. Technology advancements and improved system architecture concepts will unlock existing system capability, and add adaptability, manufacturability, SWS operations, and sustainability - while at the same time reconstituting an industrial base that has not performed SLBM development for decades. In order to support STRATCOM requirements without gapping capability, in FY 2020 D5LE2 began critical architecture agnostic technology maturation efforts on key strategic technologies and studies to explore potential modern System Level Architectures. FY 2020 efforts have focused on filling requirements voids in the areas of threat effectiveness, cyber vulnerabilities, evaluating the SWS contribution to platform survivability, developing the military utility curves by which concepts will be evaluated and limited technology development on certain key technologies. Efforts also focused on limited technology development on certain key technologies. FY 2021 concluded with preliminary architecture concepts that enabled key architecture decisions in FY 2022, followed by performance allocations to requirements in FY 2023. The program also funded efforts for advanced technology development and maturation of critical SWS D5LE2 components in the areas of high refractory metal PBCS Valve Assemblies, alternative batteries, nuclear safe out-of-line blocking elements, large Missile Structures, and RADHARD parts & shielding. Additionally, efforts funded included Strategic Guidance activities to include the development of technologies and components for strategic sensors to support the next generation of inertial sensors, instruments, rotary components and high performance processing electronics to address the need for advanced sensor data processing and low SWaP modular solutions. FY 2022 accomplishments included preliminary functional and physical system architecture concept (to include lifecycle concepts and performance evaluation), evaluation and prototyping of materials and critical components for technology maturation, fabrication and evaluation of SLBM and strategic guidance subsystem parts for advanced development and to support prototyping and radiation testing. -FY 2022 System Studies and Architecture Development efforts focused on refining previous studies, key architecture defining decisions, development of mission effectiveness and threat mitigation boundaries, refinement of digital engineering, CONOPS development activities associated with system operations that potentially lead to opportunities for affordability improvements, and activities to define core SWS architecture elements. -FY 2022 SLBM technologies concentrated on advanced technology development and maturation of critical SWS D5LE2 components in the areas of high refractory metal PBCS and Valve Assemblies, batteries, large Missile Structures. FY 2022 efforts focused on continuation of activities critical to establishing the supply chain. -FY 2022 Strategic Guidance efforts included the development of technologies and components to support the next generation of inertial sensors, rotary mechanical components and rad-hard electronics to address the need for high performing low SWaP modular solutions. FY 2023 plans continue critical D5LE2 efforts in the area of Systems Studies for Performance Allocations, Requirements and Architecture, SLBM technology investment and maturation efforts and Strategic Guidance efforts - all of which are based on historical timelines and execution for developing new technologies in this challenging environment to support the proposed D5LE2 and COLUMBIA class schedules. -FY 2023 System Studies and Architecture Development efforts include continuing and completing prior year studies and architecture decisions. -FY 2023 SLBM technologies concentrates on Common Parts ID, Battery Small Scale Tests, Radiation Hardened Testing start, Data Bus CONOPS, Additive Manufacturing Surveys, PBCS Thruster Valve cold gas tests, and Nose Fairing Element level tests. -FY 2023 Strategic Guidance efforts include Algorithm simulation, fabrication and prototyping. FY 2024 plans continue critical D5LE2 efforts in the area of Systems Studies for Performance Allocations, Requirements and Architecture, and SLBM technology investment and maturation efforts and Strategic Guidance efforts. -FY 2024 SLBM technology investment areas will continue the maturation of the Common Parts Database, Flight System Batteries, Development of Radiation Hardened Test Capability, Maturation of a Nuclear Safe Data Bus, continued evaluation of Additive Manufacturing for high reliability space applications, continued maturation of Post Boost Control System (PBCS), Nose Faring, and Equipment Section Designs. -FY 2024 Strategic Guidance efforts encompass Radiation Hardened Parts Concepts Evaluation to include candidate vendor allocations and technology down select fabrication, accelerometers, gyroscopes, stellar components, high fidelity lab/simulation testing, and mechanical packaging studies, Low Space Weight and Power solid state inertial sensor prototyping, Advanced imaging technology prototyping, Inertial Measurement Unit electro-mechanical component prototyping, Prototype Avionics developmental testing, Guidance Navigation and Control Software and Algorithm Studies, and Inertial Measurement Unit single axis testing and evaluation. -FY 2024 System Level Studies and Architecture Development efforts culminate in an iterative update to the D5LE2 concept baseline to conduct a System Studies Concept Review (SCR), generating a sufficiently refined system architecture and requirements to support a System Readiness Review (SRR) in FY 2025. The FY 2025 SRR supports developing modernized commodities, requalifying pull-through commodities, iterative model maturation, integration, and ground testing with the first flight test in FY 2033. Completion of first flight test will lead to early production to support the loadout of an entire boat with qualified missiles in FY 2039. Multi Star Enhanced Pre-Launch: The Multi Star Enhanced Prelaunch (MEP) project delivers enhanced SWS resiliency by 1) leveraging the capability of the D5 Life Extension Guidance (Mk6 Mod1) to sight two stars vice one allowing for improved in-flight error correction and 2) updating interfaces to the Fire Control and Navigation subsystems enabling enhanced use of Navigation Sonar System (NSS) data for weapon system error control during Prelaunch. This capability reduces SWS reliance on Global Positioning System (GPS) and Bathymetry data which enables operation in environments where GPS is denied and improves SSBN 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. FY 2022 was the final year of development for the MEP project. Systems Engineering Modeling and Simulation: The Systems Engineering Modeling and Simulation capability will consist of three elements: Model Based Design, 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. FY 2023 is the final year of development for this effort.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type: Project
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
Source ID: 2228_0101221N_7_1319_PB_2024

Technical Applications Programs

Abstract

Document Details

Tags

Readers

Technology Areas

Related Documents