Discrimination Sensor Demonstrator Development
Abstract
Discrimination Sensor Demonstrator Development, builds on the technology developed and demonstrated in the Discrimination Sensor Technology Program Element 0603177C. Areas of concentration include tracking lasers, advanced detectors, infrared sensors, and precision tracking and discrimination algorithms (constitutes the advanced sensor system). Discrimination Sensor Demonstrator Development pursues a cost-effective incremental upgrade philosophy that demonstrates precision track of advanced threats at extended ranges, simple scene discrimination and then complex scene discrimination through ground, flight, and space demonstrations. This project develops and tests high-precision advanced sensors to improve identifying, acquiring, tracking and discriminating incoming ballistic missile threats, specifically addressing U.S. Strategic Commands Prioritized Capabilities List requirements. Discrimination Sensor Demonstrator Development enhances the BMDS capability to discriminate lethal objects in a threat cluster, and track and hand over the threat object with Aegis Launch on Remote and Engage on Remote precision. Aegis Launch on Remote is the capability that allows Aegis BMD to launch an interceptor before its own radar acquires the threat. Aegis BMD Launch on Remote involves Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications providing information about the paths (called tracks) of ballistic missile threats to Aegis BMD from forward based radars. It expands the space where the system can intercept the threat and the defended area. Engage on Remote engagement allows Aegis to use off board sensor information to launch and guide the Standard Missile - 3 (SM-3) missile to final intercept. The increased kinematics envelope of the SM-3 Block IIA, when combined with Engage on Remote capability, will expand battlespace and increase the number of threats engaged. Discrimination Sensor Demonstrator Development uses an incremental development and test approach to address risk through a series of ground, air, then space demonstrations. This project funds development of next-generation advanced sensor systems to include tracking lasers, specialized detectors, and unique processors and the corollary ground, airborne and space subsystems required for BMDS test. These advanced sensors operate at the strategic ranges required to augment BMDS radar, improve the BMDS discrimination capability and provide precision track of large raids. These advanced sensor systems can track multiple targets simultaneously, substantially reducing the number of sensor assets required for large raids. MDA tests promising advanced sensor technology at the Mt Wilson Aerospace Facility for Integrated Optical Test (MAFIOT) in California. This ground testbed provides line of sight viewing of missile launches from Vandenberg AFB and San Nicolas Island. This project includes advanced sensor integration into a high altitude airborne platform, a MDA Configured MQ-9 aircraft, and testing in operationally relevant environments. The MDA Configured MQ-9 aircraft equipped with an advanced sensor provides the MDA a viable quick reaction capability to augment BMDS radar. The program will leverage the technology demonstrated from the ground and in the air to build space qualified advanced sensor payloads. These cost-effective focal plane array and advanced sensor space demonstrations inform future BMDS space layer decisions for persistent tracking and discrimination. MDA will also partner with the Services to develop concepts for the cost effective integration of the sensor technology successfully demonstrated under the Discrimination Sensor Technology Program Element into limited fielding upgrade kits. The concept information will inform a MDA Product Development Decision for further development and/or limited fielding decisions. These kits could be installed on MQ-9 aircraft deployed in theater to add missile defense capabilities on short notice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- MD99_0604115C_4_0400_PB_2018
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