ALERT
Space-Based Theater Warning System
Working with the U.S. Air Force to further develop the
Central Tactical Processing Program, Aerojet developed the ALERT (Attack
and Launch Early Reporting to Theater) system to provide the warfighter
immediate access to critical information and enhanced space support. ALERT
is a ground-based processing station using satellite data to provide improved
detection, identification and tracking of ballistic missiles in support
of theater missile defense. In addition to providing early warning to areas
under attack, ALERT provides more accurate locations for targeting launch
systems or cueing radars associated with interceptors.
ALERT is operated by the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Falcon Air Force
Base in Colorado on a 24-hour basis, and is supported by Aerojet's Azusa
and Colorado Springs facilities. Currently using Defense Support Program
(DSP) satellites, ALERT will perform the same real-time tactical applications
for future space-based sensor systems.The heart of ALERT is the Central
Tactical Processing Element (CTPE) located in the National Test Facility.
The CTPE is composed of commercial-off-the-shelf telemetry hardware and
Onyx computers processing data from all DSP satellites simultaneously and
performing multiple sensor tracking of tactical ballistic missiles. Although
tactical missiles take only a few minutes to hit a target, ALERT processors
crunch 1.5 billion operations per second and give warfighters enough time
to detect and shoot down the missiles.
Despite the success of DSP satellites detecting every SCUD missile during
Operation Desert Storm, there remained a need to provide more timely and
accurate information. ALERT is a solution to improving and enhancing sensor
processing from DSP spacecraft to optimize space-based warning support for
theater commanders. ALERT not only enhances the tactical application of
Air Force Space Command's warning capabilities using improved DSP sensor
data processing to support theater missile defense responsibilities, it
also corrects space operations deficiencies identified during Desert Storm.
Central Tactical Processing Element Components
- Custom real-time software
- Commercial off-the-shelf telemetry hardware
- Silicon Graphics Onyx computers
Mission
- Tactical Ballistic Missile launch detection and reporting
- Slow Walker threat detection and reporting
- Situation awareness support
Theater Missile Defense Support
- Attack operation
- Active defense
- Passive defense
ALERT System Benefits
- True N-Source tracking
- Integrates Defense Support Program and other systems' data
- Cost effective evolution to support future surveillance systems
Sources
- ALERT Space-Based Theater Warning System
- ALERT goes strategic against missiles
Astro News - Feb. 27, 1998 Maj. James D. Thorne Shield/ALERT Program Manager --
Since 1995, the Air Force has been operating a ground system called Attack and Launch Early Report to Theater to handle short-range, quick-burning tactical missiles, fusing data together from a variety of sources. The ALERT system took on a new task Jan. 1 to also provide back-up
capability for launch detection messages for strategic missiles warnings.
http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/warning/alert.htm
Implemented by Charles P. Vick, Sara D. Berman, and
Christina Lindborg, 1997 Scoville Fellow
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, March 24, 1998 7:05:11 PM