Kwajalein Missile Range Modernization and Support of BMDO Testing
Abstract
The Kwajalein Missile Range (KMR) has embarked on a four-year major modernization program in which much of the Range instrumentation will be upgraded. The major benefits to KMR are improved efficiency and reduced cost of operation. High maintenance, unique components will be replaced with commercial off-the-shelf equipment. Sensors are being reconfigured to incorporate common architectures, where practical, resulting in common parts sparing, and reduced maintenance staffing. The new architecture supports a significant degree of automation, enabling instrumentation to be monitored and operated remotely. Sensor control and execution of missions will be from a central location, the Mission Control Center on Kwajalein Island. Much of the telemetry equipment will be consolidated into a new location on Kwajalein. Telemetry and optical assets that remain on outer islands of the Atoll are being upgraded to achieve higher reliability and improved performance. This will either eliminate or drastically reduce the requirement for daily aircraft commuter services to the various equipment sites around the Atoll. The major technical benefits of modernization to the users of KMR are improved sensor capability, flexibility in specifying and satisfying test needs, and more timely data reduction. The enhancement of KMR's instrumentation and the extension of the Range Safety Center's capability to enable it to handle multiple simultaneous engagements increase the diversity and scope of future testing. KMR is uniquely qualified to support full envelope testing of multi-layer TMD and NMD target engagements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA355748
Entities
People
- Bing Potts
- David M. Villeneuve
- William J. Ince
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology