RDT&E, Defensewide / BA 03 (Advanced Technology Development) PE: 0603173C (Proj: 1360)
PE Title: Support Tech (U)
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | FY1999 | FY2000 | FY2001 | |||
| Program Name: | Actual | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | To Complete | Total Program |
| 0603173C RDT&E | 40,455 | 75,345 | 28,449 | 28,971 | 28,670 | 28,381 | 27,809 | Continuing | Continuing |
(U) BMDO's charter is to provide for defense against current and future missile threats. A robust missile defense against a wide variety of threats requires terminal phase, mid-course phase, and boost phase intercept capabilities. The Space Based Laser (SBL) program was created to provide the nation with a space-based boost phase intercept capability option. This program element, project number 1360, contains DOD's only space-based ballistic missile defense program.
(U) The program is structured to address the key critical technical issues: (1) Can a chemical laser be built powerful enough to destroy a missile at militarily useful ranges? (Alpha program); (2) Can mirrors and optics be built large enough and easily enough? (Large Aperture Mirror Program (LAMP) and Large Optical Segment (LOS)); (3) Can the high power beam be controlled and directed adequately? (Large Optics Demonstration Experiment (LODE)); (4) Can missile targets be acquired and tracked from space and can a laser be pointed and fired accurately enough? (Acquisition, Tracking and Pointing/Fire Control (ATP/FC)); (5) Can these key components be integrated into a functional unit suitable for space flight and remotely operated? (SHIELD ground test); (6) Can the fully integrated system operate adequately on-orbit? (Space demonstration).
(U) Progress To Date. The program has demonstrated that the answer to questions 1 through 3 (and partially 4) is "yes," and has built devices that perform the respective functions. (1) The Alpha program's high energy chemical laser achieved weapons-class power for the first time in 1991. (2) LAMP and LOS demonstrated the ability to build optics of the required size with the successful fabrication of a 4-meter segmented mirror in 1989 and a key segment of an 11 meter mirror in 1993. (3) LODE demonstrated the ability to control the projected (outgoing) beam in low power laser experiments in 1987. (4) The basic feasibility of acquiring and tracking missiles from ground and space has been demonstrated by a number of programs. The ATP/FC technologies required (sensors, optics, processors, etc.) have been demonstrated at or near performance levels required for the SBL program. Stable low power laser beam pointing from a space platform was demonstrated in 1991 in the Relay Mirror Experiment (RME) at the same precision level required for an operational SBL.
(U) Current Status. The major building blocks have been developed, but questions 4, 5, and 6 have only partially been answered. Key system integrations and tests lie ahead. Remaining tasks are: to integrate the high power laser with the large optics beam director and test (Alpha-LAMP Integration (ALI)); to integrate and test ATP/FC hardware and software; to integrate ALI hardware with ATP/FC hardware and test; to integrate ALI/ATP/FC system in a space qualified demonstration vehicle (SHIELD) for ground and flight test.
(U) In FY95 only a reduced ALI effort was funded. The high power Alpha Laser was placed in a "maintenance only" status until required by ALI. In FY96, Congress provided additional program funding and directed ALI be continued, design activities for a space demonstration be accelerated, a concept of operations (CONOPS) and design requirements be developed for an operational SBL system, and the SBL technology base be revitalized. This funding increase preserved vital infrastructure, allowed restoration of the ALI program to its original scope and continued the ATP/FC program. In compliance with congressional direction, the program restarted design activity on the SHIELD demonstration and began CONOPS development.
(U) Unique features of a SBL missile defense include global, 24 hour boost phase intercept capability and defense against surprise first strikes. SBLs can destroy missiles whose range is greater than 75 miles, providing a robust first layer for both theater and national missile defenses-in-depth. SBL does not require prior knowledge of enemy launch site locations. The footprint of one SBL can cover 10% of the earth. Twelve to twenty could provide overlapping full-time coverage of missile threats from theaters anywhere. Each SBL would be capable of destroying up to 100 missiles. SBL can defend against missiles without putting the lives of US military personnel at risk. With its long range and speed of light defense, it accomplishes boost phase intercept at the earliest possible moment, offering the highest probability that intercepted missile fragments (possibly containing active chemical/biological or nuclear materials) will fall back on the attackers, not on defended assets.
(U) Three of the four major subsystems for an operational SBL (laser device, beam control system, and the beam director or telescope) have been demonstrated by the chemical laser project with hardware scaleable and traceable to operational system requirements. Hardware components of the ATP subsystem, the fourth major SBL subsystem, have been demonstrated at or near performance levels required for the SBL mission.
(U) All major assemblies for the ALI experiment were completed and integrated in the test chamber. Component, assembly and integration experiments were completed and low power system test began. The Alpha device and facility were reactivated and the test team reconstituted in preparation of the FY97 high power ALI tests. Design activities for the follow-on space qualified vehicle ground demonstration was restarted, and the Cost and Analysis Requirement Document (CARD) was updated with emphasis in the CONOPS, user design requirements, satellite design, and launch vehicle design. The ATP/FC program completed fabrication and test of the illuminator laser that will be used in the field testing. Integration is complete and testing has begun. Work has resumed on high payoff advanced technologies.
(U) The FY96 congressional add preserved vital infrastructure needed for a continuing SBL program, allowed restoration of the ALI program to its original scope, and continued the ATP/FC program. The following plan brings Alpha back to test readiness and completes ALI high power tests in FY98. The unique capability to build the Alpha resonator optics is preserved, and fabrication begins on the new resonator optics. This activity continues through FY01 and is followed by a high power test of the new uncooled resonator in FY02. The SHIELD program performs site selection in FY97 and updates designs of the vehicle and facility in FY96. An uncooled deformable mirror is competed in FY96 and demonstrated in FY99. The High Altitude Balloon Experiment (HABE) program is partially restored and performs the integrated ground testing in FY98. The option for a later flight test is preserved.
o ($27.380M) ALI Integration and Test: Completed fabrication and delivery of all critical optical hardware (high-bandwidth deformable mirror and high-bandwidth fast-steering mirror, calibration and alignment assembly, space PtSi focal planes) and remaining facility hardware (support pallets, power management equipment, plumbing and integration and test chamber handling and support assembly).
o ($2.850M) Alpha: Placed Alpha in a "maintenance-only" mode. Exercised periodic operation of critical systems to preserve the laser device for return to high power operation in FY97. These periodic operations include flowing all water systems, operating the pressure recovery system and isolation gate valves, operating all pumps, compressors and valves, inspecting optics and probe laser and performing alignment checks.
o ($6.772M) HABE ATP Field Experiment: Prepared to perform IR tracking tests from the ground against boosting scaled rockets.Using computer simulations, predicted system performance based on estimated track data. Continued ATP ground integrated system checkout.
o ($3.453M) ATP Technology Development:Developed and delivered aimpoint selection and hard-body handover algorithms for integration into HABE tests. Completed brassboard integration of autoalignment capability and demonstrated boresight and alignment.
o ($35.920M) ALI Integration and Test: Complete system integration of major assemblies including the Secondary Mirror, Wavefront Sensor, Metering Structure, and remaining cabling and plumbing. Reestablish metrology lab to preserve industry capability to test coatings of uncooled optics. Fabricate and test diagnostic wavefront sensor for high power tests. Conduct low power experiments (ALI test plan series 100).
o ($9.617M) Alpha Restart: Maintain Alpha laser with periodic operations of critical systems through first three quarters. The periodic operations included flowing all water systems, operating the pressure recovery system and isolation gate valves, operating all pumps, compressors and valves, inspecting optics and probe laser, and performing alignment checks. Make repairs as required, reconstitute test team and prepare plant and facility for high power operation. Validate input diagnostics performance in preparation for 1QFY97 revalidation high power tests.
o ($4.296M) Dem/Val Design: Update designs for ground test of space qualified demonstration vehicle taking into account latest accomplishments in spacecraft and directed energy technologies. Begin planning for space test facility. Reactivate site selection process and update integration and test facility requirements document. Identify and begin work on long-lead issues.
o ($8.543M) EMD Design: Update requirements and design based on current projected threat and latest accomplishments in spacecraft and directed energy technologies. Provide traceability criteria to Dem/Val Design task. Refine and update CARD.
o ($4.934M) ATP: Complete fabrication and acceptance testing of illuminator laser. Complete hardware integration and check-out of beam alignment system. Initiate ground tracking test in passive and active modes against boosting scaled rockets.
o ($12.035M) SBL Support Technologies: Reactivate Large Optics Diamond Turning Machine (LODTM). Initiate fabrication of inner cone optic. Begin test of the first of six advanced nozzle water cooled modules (HYLTE) to be used in overtone experiment. Begin fabrication of the NACL beam train optics to be used in the phase conjugation experiment. Complete Narrow Field of View (NFOV) testing of autoalignment algorithms on advanced beam control system brassboard. Complete design requirements for 4-meter monolithic primary mirror.
o ($19.345M) ALI High Power Testing: Complete assembly and system integration (Level 200 and 300) experiments at low power.
o ($3.509M) Alpha Restart: Complete high power revalidation test of Alpha laser in preparation for the ALI high power tests.
o ($2.371M) ATP: Complete passive and active tracking test against boosting scaled rockets. Prepare to deploy to WSMR range for ground test against actual boosting targets of opportunity.
o ($3.224M) SBL Support Technologies: Acquired the silicon and fabrication of Alpha resonator inner cone uncooled optic.Maintain Large Optics Diamond Turning Machine in operating condition.
o ($16.272M) ALI High Power Testing: Complete one open loop high power test and two closed loop high power tests to demonstrate and characterize integrated laser and beam control performance at near weapon scale power levels.
o ($8.595M) Alpha Laser: Support ALI testing.
o ($2.414M) ATP: Deploy to WSMR range for tests against actual boosting targets of opportunity.
o ($1.690M) SBL Support Technologies: Maintain Large Optics Diamond Turning Machine in operating condition. Completed fabrication on new Alpha resonator inner cone assembly. Began fabrication of the rear and outer cone assemblies.
(U) Acquisition Strategy: BMDO's contract to build a SBL ("Zenith Star") was competed in 1988 and awarded to Martin Marietta. The ALI and SHIELD design effort are performed under this contract. The Alpha laser is maintained and operated under a BMDO contract to TRW. Existing contract vehicles are viable to launch the first prototype SBL. The contracts remain open and options can be exercised in FY97 .
B. (U) PROGRAM CHANGE SUMMARY:
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | TOTAL COST | |
| Previous President's Budget | 41,808 | 29,854 | 30,000 | 0 | 101,662 |
| Current Budget Submit | 40,455 | 75,345 | 28,449 | 28,971 | 173,220 |
Funding: Congress increased the FY96 President's request to restore the directed energy program and halt the erosion of a unique national high energy laser capability. Specific direction was given in the accompanying language which directed the Secretary of Defense to continue ALI, accelerate design of a space demonstration, develop CONOPS and design requirements for the operational SBL system, and revitalize the SBL technology base. This project is responsive in FY96 to each of the above areas. The language also directed the Secretary to ensure that sufficient funds are provided in the outyears for continuation of a robust SBL effort. This project continues the SBL program in the outyears at a modest level. It preserves the most critical portions of the infrastructure required to maintain an option of deploying highly effective global defenses in the future. A limited technology development effort is preserved while pursuing an advanced Alpha resonator.
Schedule: Program continues through FYDP.
Technical: None
| Related RDT&E: | Funding Dependency? (Yes1/No) |
| Demonstration and Validation (Airborne Laser), PE 0603319F | No |
| 1155 Phenomenology Program, PE0603173C | No |
| 1161 Advanced Sensor Technology, PE 0603173C | No |
| 3360 Test Resources, PE 0603871C | No |
1Funding data for related RDT&E efforts that have a funding dependency can be found in the respective project summary/program element.
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | |||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Engineering Milestone | xa | xb | xc | xe | ||||||||||||
| T&E Milestone | xf,g,h | xi,j | xk,l,m | xn | ||||||||||||
| Tech Demo Milestone | xo | xp | xq | |||||||||||||
| Contract Milestone | ||||||||||||||||
a Acceptance test of ALI deformable mirror and fast steering mirror
b ALI optical bench fully populated and rolled into vacuum chamber
c ALI beam expander integration complete
e Preliminary Design Review of new Alpha resonator optics
f Low power ALI experiments (Series 100) complete
g Passive track tests against boosting scaled rockets
h LODTM back on line
I ALI Assembly & Integration experiments (Series 200) complete
j Alpha High Power restart test
k ALI System Integration experiments (Series 300) complete
l Complete active tracking tests against boosting scaled rockets
m Space test facility site selection
n First ALI high power diagnostics test on Alpha
o ALI closed loop high power test IIA
p WSMR active track ground test against full scale boosting target
q ALI closed loop high power test IIB
o Fabrication of uncooled resonator complete 2Q/FY01