3.6 Systems Effects & Survivability (Nuclear)

3.6.1 Warfighter Needs

The warfighter needs radiation and electromagnetic hardened systems and microelectronic pieceparts in order to survive the threat and perform his mission. DoD has unique needs for radiation hardened microelectronics that can survive radiation fluence levels that commercial-off-the shelf microelectronics cannot satisfy. Additionally, the availability of nuclear weapons technology and sophisticated delivery sytems has led to the emergence of a new threat—the high altitude detonation of one or two low-yield weapons. Proliferation makes the likelihood of employment in a regional conflict ever more likely and this threat places unprotected space and ground systems at risk.

This subarea has two technical thrusts: the development of affordable state-of-the-art radiation hardened microelectronics and the integrated hardening and testing of military systems against high altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) and high power microwave effects. The bottom line objective is to ensure that warfighters have confidence in the survivability of their weapons systems in all radiation environments.

3.6.2 Systems Effects & Survivability Overview

3.6.2.1 Goals and Timeframes.

FY96	Decision on scope and funding of balanced electromagnetic hardening technology program and other integrated protection initiatives Complete National Defense Infrastructure Survivability Study Begin development of enabling technology for a radiation hardened 4 M SRAM demonstration circuit Develop radiation hardened design and test requirements for AGT testable systems
FY97	Develop initial design and test protocols for radiation hardened systems (testable by AGT) Complete end-to-end C4I link survivability assessment
FY98	Adapt protection practices for EM shielding with composites and other nonmetallic materials Demonstrate, test, and evaluate radiation hardened silicon-on-insulator analog microelectronics technology
FY99	Refine methodologies for design and test protocols for radiation hardened systems (testable by AGT) Develop initial recommendations on improved shielding effectiveness testing system covering both EMP and HPM frequency ranges
FY00	Demonstrate enabling technology for radiation hardened low-power 1000k gate array and 16M SRAM Produce, test and evaluate radiation hardened cryogenic analog microelectronics Validate design and test protocols for radiation hardened systems (testable by AGT) Develop updated hardness maintenance/surveillance techniques and standards in accordance with newly-developed hardening technology
FY01	Produce affordable technology and methodology for integrated hardening and testing of military systems against HPM and HEMP effects (assuming favorable FY (funding decision) Deliver design and test protocols for radiation hardened systems (testable by AGT)

3.6.2.2 Major Technical Challenges. Military systems continuously require increased information processing but state-of-the-art commercial semiconductor processes are designed primarily to maximize profits, usually at the expense of such desirable characteristics as radiation hardness. Thus, succeeding generations of microelectronics have become increasingly susceptible to radiation. DoD must therefore maintain an ongoing effort to radiation harden new generations of microelectronics as they evolve to ensure that future warfighters have the survivable state-of-the-art electronics systems needed to complete their missions. Additionally, the loss of UGT capability requires the development of new design and test protocols and procedures that assure system survivability. Validation activities are necessarily dependent on test and simulation capabilities, which are addressed in the next subarea.

3.6.2.3 Related Federal and Private Sector Efforts. Radiation hardened electronics are critical for the multi-billion-dollar commercial and civilian space industry. Balanced hardening methodologies have considerable potential for transfer to the private sector. Notable is the proposed use of European Union protection standards that are more stringent then their US commercial equivalents. Computational structural dynamics methodologies for enhancing the survivability of military facilities have direct applicability for providing civilian structures with protection against both natural, e.g., earthquake, and man-made, e.g., terrorist, hazards.

3.6.3 Systems Effects And Survivability S&T Investment Strategy

3.6.3.1 Technology Development. All of the activities in this subarea involve technology development; there are no basic research or ATD/ACTD technology demonstrations.

Radiation Effects: The major objective, which is a DDR&E directed priority, is development of radiation hardened electronics enabling technology for missiles and space systems that could be exposed to proliferant nuclear weapons effects. A second objective is to ensure that the communications and sensors of these space assets are not disrupted by the disturbed environment caused by such a high-altitude event. Finally, the third objective is to ensure the ground terminals associated with these assets are protected from the HEMP that such an event can produce. Toward these ends, the threats posed by a proliferant’s weapons are being better characterized and methods for protecting and testing that protection are being developed.

Balanced Hardening: The objective in this (not fully funded) program is to develop and demonstrate integrated hardening technology and methodologies. These methodologies would reduce costs by allowing a smaller number of validated tests to be conducted to verify protection against multiple hazards. Technology development would involve new lower cost approaches for integrated effects testing and protection validation. This approach is congruent with new DoD acquisition policies mandating much greater use of commercial parts and standards. Priority would be given to protection against High Power Microwave and High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse effects with consideration given to the whole spectrum of electromagnetic interferences and disturbances. The goal is to achieve the optimum electromagnetic protection for systems balancing the competing factors of threat, cost, size/weight, and technical/engineering feasibility.