Guidance Trades for Interceptors Not Constrained by Ground-Based Radar
Abstract
Virtually all U.S. ballistic missile interceptor designs under development utilize terminal seekers that are cued by high-resolution, surface-based radars. The radar is used for target tracking leading to a fire-control solution, for midcourse target state updates and for end-game target discrimination. New space-based sensor systems such as SBIRS-low are seen as an adjunct that can be used to achieve range extension by cueing of radars and in some concepts, kinematic range extension of interceptors by providing for earlier launch commitments. The availability of global track information from space-based systems, however, coupled with the large design space provided by high throw-weight, retooled SLBM launchers enables an entirely new design concept for national missile defense. The notional system would utilize existing infrastructure, minimally modified SLBM launchers, and exoatmospheric kill vehicles currently under development for global coverage from a few sea-based locations against modest-intensity NMD threats. The post-boost "bus" would dispense multiple kill vehicles and would provide a platform to mount communication, sensors, and possibly special "fly-ahead" packages for mechanizing novel approaches to target discrimination. Assuming that ABM treaty barriers were successfully negotiated, the global coverage of this outermost tier to a layered NMD could simultaneously provide a stabilizing extension of NMD to regional allies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381341
Entities
People
- Owen L. Deutsch
Organizations
- Charles Stark Draper Laboratory