Target Systems Development
Abstract
Full-scale Aerial Targets (FSAT), Subscale Aerial Targets (SSAT), Next Generation Aerial Targets (NGAT) and companion Target Control Systems (TCS) assure the effectiveness and currency of warfighter weapon systems to combat real-world enemy fighters and cruise missiles. The BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT) is a reusable jet-powered target aircraft measuring approximately 20 feet long with a mission to simulate threat aircraft for testing and evaluation of surface-to-air, ship-to-air, or air-to-air missiles. The target accomplishes this mission through the use of optional payloads including chaff and flare, electronic attack (EA), and infrared (IR) devices. Funding supports continued improvement of overall performance enhancement efforts to meet evolving threats. Funding supports development, improvements, and updates of target control systems and specialized target payload subsystems for requirements to include, but not limited to: missile scoring, EA and IR countermeasures, radar and IR signature augmentation, chaff and flare dispensing systems, and overall target threat emulation. EA payload upgrades provide new techniques and capabilities critical to subscale, mid-scale, and full-scale targets to realistically emulate current and emerging foreign threat systems in support of weapons testing. TCS provides a myriad of sub-systems that, together, deliver the capability to control and track mission aerial targets and to track a mix of other critical mission participants (to include relay platforms, shooters, and the missile system under test). In this role, TCS ensures an optimum integrated aerial target environment that enhances both weapon system assessments and companion aircrew skills, and the full safety of mission participants throughout the conduct and fulfillment of Test and Evaluation (T&E) objectives. Funding supports continued improvement of TCS capabilities to effectively meet the multi-service T&E demands of current and future warfighter weapon systems. NGAT seeks to conduct early systems engineering and risk reduction activities to identify and mitigate the major risks associated with developing a new aerial target equipped with modern, threat representative, EA and associated subsystems needed for live fire air-to-air missile tests. NGAT seeks to represent as well as keep pace with adversary aircraft developments to present an up to date, realistic target for live-fire testing. These activities include design concept studies, engineering analysis, Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurements, RCS modeling Verification and Validation (V&V), and early prototyping and demonstration events as a proof of concept. Efforts will include engineering and design activities needed to modify prototype airframes with representative EA payloads as well as other subsystems unique to live-fire target missions, including, but not limited to, the design and integration of systems needed for missile scoring, telemetry, and target and payload control. Results will lead to informed requirements development as well as indicate viable mid and far term solutions. Successful prototype demonstrations could lead to continued development and acquisition of a limited number of prototypes to continue refining the design and determine viability and cost/schedule risks in follow on efforts. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. In FY20 $0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY21 $0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Source ID
- 675136_0305116F_7_3600_PB_2022
Related Documents
- Root: Aerial Targets
- Child Accomplishment: AFSAT (BQM-167A) Development
- Child Accomplishment: Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM)
- Child Accomplishment: Target Control System
- Child Accomplishment: Next Generation Aerial Target (NGAT)
- Child Cost Item: 0a8c1922d76b83a962c0747c298dd79a
- Child Cost Item: 69ddae70070bc4ccb9c6fda850c01ec3
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