Program Element: 0603216C Project Number: 1206

PE Title: Theater Missile Defenses (U) Budget Activity: 03

Adv Technology Dev (U)

February 1994

A. (U) Resources: ($ in Thousands)

Project Title: Advanced TMD Weapons

FY1993 FY1994 FY1995 FY1996 FY1997 FY1998 FY1999 Total

Program Name: Actual Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Program

0603216C RDT&E 6,100 0 0 0 0 0 0 Completed

B. (U) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MISSION REQUIREMENT AND SYSTEM CAPABILITIES:

(U) The Electro Thermal Chemical (ETC) Launcher technology project is exploring the feasibility of using a combination of electrical and chemical energy sources to produce hypervelocities. This work is underway at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center (SNRC) under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Government and the Government of Israel, dated 6 May 1986. The approach taken by the Propulsion Physics Laboratory at SNRC combines electrothermal technology and conventional ballistics technology in a conventional gun in a mode that will result in high projectile velocities and relatively small amounts of electrical energies. This combination promises an acceleration process that will enable the achievement of velocities above the conventional ballistics limit, and a cost effective system that does not require huge quantities of electrical energy. The ultimate goal is to produce an ETC Launcher which will be able to launch (approximately 6 kg) guided projectiles at (approximately 2.5 km/s) to meet TMD requirements.

(U) Phase I of the program investigated the ignition of chemical propellants using high temperature plasma injectors. Initial tests using a 60mm ETC gun demonstrated the launch of a 1 kg mass at 2.0 km/s. Scaling techniques were used to test this ETC approach in a 105mm gun which accomplished the goal of launching a 1.5 kg projectile to 2.5 km/s. The 60mm and 105mm tests demonstrated a 15.6% and 9% improvement over conventional ballistics, respectively.

(U) The follow-on program's goal was to launch weapon size projectiles (approximately 6kg) at velocities (approximately 2.5 km/s) applicable for TMD. To keep the barrel length reasonably short, a 35% improvement of the ETC process over conventional ballistics was required. To reach required muzzle energies, it was necessary to scale-up the barrel diameter from 105mm to 120-155mm. A series of field experiments were also planned. The purpose was to bring the gun system technologies (D-2 like projectile, Soreq ETC Launcher, fire control) out of the laboratory and into the field. The first series of integrated field experiments (beginning in 4QFY93) demonstrated the ability to launch a D2-like aeroshell from an ETC Launcher with transportable power and fire control tracking of the projectile.

(U) Additional subtasks included strategic and theater missile defense integration studies to analyze the threat and to develop appropriate TMD missions and flow-down requirements to major hypervelocity electric launcher weapon subsystems. The results would have been used to guide development and demonstration planning, fire control conceptual design and development, and critical technical issue resolution appropriate for hit-to-kill, gun-launched, hypervelocity projectiles.

(U) This project is assigned to the Budget Activity and Program Element codes as identified in this descriptive summary in accordance with existing Department of Defense policy. Further justification of the Budget Activity code assigned to each Program Element is contained within the Brief Description of Element section of each Program Element Summary.

C. (U) PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS:

(U) FY 1993 Accomplishments:

o ($2,500) Complete evelopment of prototype fire control radar

o ($2,300) Fire 4-5 kg at 1.8-2.0 km/sec from Soreq 105mm ETC Launcher

o ($0,200) Increase ETC plasma injector performance to 3 megajoules at 1.5 gigawatts.

o ($1,000) Launch D2-like aeroshell containing electronics, battery and transmitter from Soreq 105mm launcher on the range with fire control tracking of the projectile

o ($0,100) Complete HVL TMD system study and final report

(U) FY 1994 Plans:

o Program terminated due to reductions in BMDO funding.

(U) Program to Completion: This program has been cancelled.

D. (U) WORK PERFORMED BY:

o Soreq Nuclear Research Center - Israel

o Technology Applications - Placenta, CA

o Georgia Tech Research Institute - Marietta, GA

o BDM - Huntsville, AL

o GE Aerospace - Huntsville, AL and Blue Bell, PA

E. (U) COMPARISON WITH FY 1994 DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY:

1. TECHNICAL CHANGES: Program has been terminated.

2. SCHEDULE CHANGES: Program has been terminated.

3. COST CHANGES: Program has been terminated.

F. (U) PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION:

o BMDO Program Management Agreement

o Cost performance reports, program plans, HVL TMD Cost Analysis Requirements Document, and various technical reports

G. (U) RELATED ACTIVITIES:

o 2212 Corps SAM PE No. 6.3

o 2209 ACES PE No. 6.3

There is no unnecessary duplication of effort within BMDO or the DoD.

H. (U) OTHER APPROPRIATION FUNDS: None

I. (U) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS: Cost Share Contract with Israel to develop ETC Launcher for TMD applications. Phase I was signed on May 2, 1989, and completed in June 1992. Follow-on contract for same effort commenced September 3, 1992.

J. (U) MILESTONE SCHEDULE:

o Program has been terminated.