Airborne Laser Capability Development
Abstract
The Airborne Laser`s (ABL) revolutionary speed-of-light technology makes it a pathfinder for future directed energy weapon systems. The ABL program is testing an airborne laser system with unique capabilities to defend against ballistic missile threats by acquiring, tracking, and destroying ballistic missiles. The high-powered laser has been fired over 100 times on the ground and was installed on the ABL aircraft in FY 2008. The ABL has demonstrated precision tracking and atmospheric beam compensation during flight over 2 dozen times in FY 2007 and 2009 -- including successfully tracking against two boosting missiles in June 2009 and engaging against a low-power Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument (MARTI) boosting missile test asset in August 2009. The first high-powered lasing external to the aircraft in flight is scheduled for winter 2009 with the first shoot down against a short-range liquid fueled foreign acquired target scheduled for winter 2010. Engagement range for the ABL is dependent upon track illumination, atmospheric compensation, laser power and missile type. After the initial shoot down demonstration, ABL will test against missiles in flight at greater ranges and on the ground against countermeasures to fully characterize the ABL. Current Program Knowledge Points (KPs) are: Engagement against a Low Power Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument (MARTI) (KP#8) - This KP will validate and characterize Low Power (using the Surrogate High Energy Laser) ABL performance against boosting targets (completed Aug 09) Demonstrate High Energy Laser (HEL) performance Internal/External on the Aircraft in Flight (KP#9) - This KP will demonstrate functionality of the optical system with the HEL on the aircraft in flight Engagement against a High Power Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument (MARTI) (KP#10) - This KP will validate and characterize High Power (using the High Energy Laser) ABL performance against boosting targets ABL Technology Demonstrator lethal demonstration (KP #11) - This KP will demonstrate ABL capability to negate a threat representative boosting ballistic missile. Following the ABL Technology Demonstrator lethal demonstration, additional lethal demonstration events will be conducted to further evaluate geometries and/or ranges of the current ABL configuration. Critical Engagement Conditions/Empirical Measurement Events (CECs/EMEs) are the conditions and events where data is obtained from flight and ground tests in order to anchor system models and simulations. ABL currently has five Critical Engagement Conditions (CECs) and five Empirical Measurement Events (EMEs) for Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) that the program will begin to demonstrate in FY 2010. CECs include: Minimum/Maximum Slant Range (ABL to target range, helps to determine the capability to acquire and track a target and the energy lost in the beam path); High Turret Azimuth Angle (ABL to target azimuth angle, represents a condition to establish a baseline for applicable models); Staging Event (number of target stages, collects flight test data against a staging target); Low Target Reflectivity (determines the maximum standoff distance for the Tracking Illuminator Laser and for atmospheric compensation with the Beacon Illuminator Laser return); and Low Target Vulnerability to HEL Beam (laser lethality effects, determines how well the High Energy Laser propagation must be performed). EMEs include: Low Infrared (IR) Target Signature (determines range at which an engagement may be initiated); Multi-Target Engagement (stress the system`s capability to sequentially move from one target to the next); Interoperability with the BMDS (demonstrates ABLs connectivity, integration, interfaces and interoperability with the BMDS); Operational Readiness Demonstration (determines ABL capability to deploy to and operate from an overseas location); and Weapon System Suitability (Determines the degree to which a system can be satisfactorily placed in field use) . MDA Element testing is based on an integrated, comprehensive, and phased test program. Element systems, subsystems, and components are tested early in development and are necessary prior to conducting BMD-System level testing. ABL Element level testing is funded as part of a developmental program and reflected in this Program Element (PE) submission. This PE also provides ABL participation in the consolidated MDA-wide System Test Program and the resources for the, planning, design, execution and management of ABL in BMD System testing in accordance with the BMDS Test Policy, MDA Directive 3202.03 (January 2009). This applies to all Flight, Integrated Ground, and Distributed Ground Tests and Post-test analysis and reconstructions listed in the Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP). The BMD Digital Simulations Architecture (DSA) is the primary M&S System framework used to integrate Element baselines prior to flight or ground testing, facilitate technical trade-offs, concept analysis and trade studies, as well as providing support to Wargames and exercises within the BMDS Program. The DSA-performance architecture and Element and component high fidelity models support PA events, which provide critical system level performance data relative to all elements, system engineers, M&S developers, the OTA and Warfighters. The DSA-virtual architecture supports Element baseline integration, training, portions of ground testing and exercises.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- WX19_0603883C_4_0400_PB_2011
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