RDT&E, Defensewide / BA 04 (Dem/Val) PE:0603871C (Proj: 1151)
PE Title: NMD Tech (U)
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | FY1999 | FY2000 | FY2001 | |||
| Program Name: | Actual | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | Estimate | To Complete | Total Program |
| 0603871C RDT&E | 112,051 | 188,724 | 105,929 | 55,377 | 52,467 | 40,362 | 31,680 | Continuing | Continuing |
(U) The NMD system requires a ground based radar and a space based missile detection and tracking system to provide midcourse and terminal phase precision tracking, discrimination, and kill assessment data to the BM/C3 element for committing and updating the interceptors for NMD. The NMD sensors program, restructured as a technology readiness program, will collect required data, demonstrate critical performance capability, and develop passive and active sensor system components and elements that will enable the NMD technology readiness program to address existing and future threats. Required data will be collected and functional operations demonstrated through technology and prototypical element demonstrations. Sensor element integration with the BM/C3 and interceptor elements will be progressively demonstrated through a series of Integrated Ground Tests (IGTs) using computer simulations and phasing in hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) representations of the GBR and SMTS elements. Beginning in FY99, integrated flight tests will demonstrate limited NMD system interoperability using the GBI Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), BM/C3, Ground-Based Radar - Prototype (NMD-GBR-P), and the SMTS Flight Demonstration System.
(U) National Missile Defense Ground Based Radar-Prototype (NMD-GBR-P): The Ground Based Radar for NMD is the primary fire control sensor, providing surveillance, acquisition, tracking, discrimination, fire control support, and kill assessment. Prior to commitment of interceptors, the radar performs surveillance autonomously or as cued by SMTS or other sensors, and will acquire, track, classify/identify and estimate trajectory parameters for targets. In post-commit, the radar will discriminate and track the target(s), and provide an In-Flight Target Update (IFTU) and a Target Object Map (TOM) to the interceptor(s). The NMD-GBR-P is an incremental development program derived from the former NMD-GBR program, and leverages off the Theater Missile Defense (TMD)-GBR program to resolve the critical radar issues applicable to NMD. These critical issues are: target discrimination, Target Object Map (TOM) generation, kill assessment, and electromechanical scan. The NMD-GBR-P program will build a prototype radar capable of demonstrating the resolution of these issues and supporting integrated NMD tests. FY96 activities will concentrate on completing system analysis and design; continued algorithm development; and continued software and HWIL simulation development activities. FY97 activities will concentrate on hardware assembly and integration activities and support of IGTs. FY98 activities will concentrate on integration and installation of the NMD-GBR-P at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in preparation for an On-line System Test. FY99 through FY01 activities will concentrate on supporting NMD system testing. The Family of Radars Contract was modified in 1QFY96 to incorporate a growable antenna design into the prototype radar. The growable antenna provides a direct trace to an Objective/Deployable System NMD-GBR antenna design substantially reducing risk and cost associated with deployment.
(U) Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX): The MSX program supports the development of both SMTS sensors and interceptor seekers. The satellite will collect and report data on midcourse targets at realistic ranges against real backgrounds for use in design, simulation and validation of NMD surveillance sensors and interceptor seekers. This data will be used in system ground demonstrations to: 1) provide multi-wavelength target and background phenomenology data to validate computer models essential in the design and analysis of sensors; 2) demonstrate key sensor functions such as acquisition, targeting, hand-off, and bulk filtering, and, 3) demonstrate the capability to integrate key technologies into a working platform similar to an operational midcourse sensor design. MSX will also provide fundamental target signature data, statistically significant background data, and the functional and technology demonstrations to support exit criteria for SMTS milestone decisions. The MSX will be launched in 3QFY96 and provide an 18 month cryogen lifetime for data collection in support of multiple users. After cryogen depletion, the visible and UV sensors and spacecraft are designed for another 3.5 years of operations. The plan is to cease satellite operations at the beginning of 4QFY97. Planned MSX missions include observation of one dedicated strategic target mission, two dedicated sounding rocket experiments, two cooperative Active Geophysical Rocket Experiment (AGRE) launch, the Red Tigress III cooperative mission, and other potential cooperative target missions.
(U) Passive Sensor Technology: Passive sensor technology includes research and development efforts for critical sensor components which support infrared surveillance, acquisition, tracking, and discrimination functions. The projects in radiation-hardened electronics, focal plane arrays (FPAs), long life cryogenic coolers, signal/data processing, and optics will develop the state-of-the-art technologies essential to operate in a space environment and view targets against the earth limb and space backgrounds. The prolonged exposure to high radiation levels and large temperature changes in space stress the performance and reliability of the components. FPAs developed under this effort are designed to operate down at the low background noise levels of space. FPAs which are specifically developed for interceptor applications under the GBI program (Project 1267) have higher background noise commensurate with their interceptor application and are not suitable for the low noise requirements of the space-based tracking sensors. FPAs are tested for applicability to BMD operation. Cryocoolers are being developed to support the FPA technologies. These coolers are tested and evaluated for performance and reliability for long duration applications. Optical components and electronic components are developed for BMD applications and tested for performance, reliability and any degradation due to environmental effects of space such as radiation and contamination. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components will be tested for BMDO utility where available and applicable to eliminate or reduce redundant development.
(U) MSX Targets: This program provides dedicated targets for MSX orbital tests. These targets, the Strategic Target System (STARS) with the Operation and Deployment Experiment Simulator (ODES) and two sounding rockets, will be used to test the capabilities of a passive sensor to detect, track, and characterize both strategic and tactical threat ballistic missiles. Additional cooperative targets will be provided through the Active Geophysical Rocket Experiment (AGRE), which is a joint project partially funded by BMDO and executed with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute for the Dynamics of Geospheres (IDG). The primary objective of AGRE is a scientific experiment to observe the effects on the nighttime atmosphere and ionosphere at 600 km altitude of perturbations caused by a plasma jet. The first AGRE mission (AGRE O) will not have instrument payloads. The possible second mission (AGRE 1) will carry four diagnostic payloads in 2QFY97 with IDG plasma jet generators to monitor and record the atmospheric and ionospheric disturbances. MSX will observe the SS-19 flights, payload deployment and the effect of the plasma jet. Three payloads will be developed by IDG and one by APL. The MSX data and the AGRE data will be analyzed and provided to the USAF SBIRS.
(U) Red Tigress: This is the last in a series of joint US/UK phenomenology programs to collect threat representative target data to develop and validate infrared and radar discrimination algorithms. This test, Red Tigress III, is programmed for launch in 4QFY96. The Red Tigress III payloads are designed and built by the UK Penaid Program and are TMD/NMD representative targets. This target mission is a cooperative mission with MSX. Data reduction, quick look analysis, and data distribution will be completed in FY96.
(U) Space Technology Research Vehicle-2 (STRV-2): This is a multinational (US and UK)/multiagency (AF, NASA, and BMDO) funded flight demonstration program in an orbital environment similar to the space-based tracking satellites. A UK developed Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) system will obtain background/clutter data using filter specifications supplied by the SMTS program office. A one-year mission duration in an elliptical orbit (400-1800 km) will provide seasonal and altitude variations in background data. Operations data regarding contamination, radiation damage to FPA and microelectronics, advanced vibration isolation/suppression techniques, micrometeorite and debris monitors, and space environment effects on advanced materials will be collected. The performance of high bandwidth laser communications systems will also be evaluated. This program is scheduled for launch on the Space Test Program Tri-Service Experiments (TSX) Mission 5 spacecraft.
(U) Active and passive sensor technologies have progressed significantly in support of the restructured NMD readiness program. Passive sensor technology component testing remains on schedule allowing technology development to continue to the next phases in support of space-based tracking sensor program objectives. Experiment planning activities remain on schedule in support of NMD system development. Contract modifications have been completed for the implementation of the NMD-RTD program. Memoranda of Understanding and Agreement for the STRV-2 program have been finalized and implemented. Fabricated, integrated and tested (the MSX) sensors and spacecraft. A rupture in the cryogen vent line on MSX forced delay of launch into FY96.
o ($21.955M) National Missile Defense Radar Technology Demonstrator (NMD-RTD):
Completed contract modifications for the NMD-RTD.
Initiated antenna design and procured long lead piece parts for Transmit/Receiver (T/R) modules.
Began development of intelligence based algorithms for microdynamic discrimination, target object map, kill assessment, and electo/mechanical scan control.
Began modification of TMD-GBR applications and operations software for NMD use.
Began adaptation of TMD-GBR Real-time Digital Simulation and HWIL simulator for NMD use.
Completed System Requirements and System Design Review.
o ($48.170M) Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX):
Completed integration of sensors and spacecraft; completed ground testing; rupture in vent line during cryogen fill damaged plumbing and wiring.
Completed repair of cryostat; retested, recharacterized, and recalibrated infrared sensor.
o ($25.074M) MSX Targets:
Completed STARS/ODES target development.
Continued development of targets for NMD observation experiments from Wallops Island.
JHU/APL continued negotiations on agreements with Russian Academy of Sciences for AGRE Program.
Designed AGRE instrument payloads.
o ($3.450M) Red Tigress:
Maintained joint US/UK cooperative effort through planning activities for launch in FY96.
Procured hardware, integrated UK payloads with US booster, and began mission planning and range interface discussions for Red Tigress III mission.
o ($10.902M) Passive Sensor Technology:
Fabricated and tested four HgCdTe FPAs for radiometric response and operation; one of which has proven to be functional.
Completed fabrication and test of a highly reliable, radiation hardened, self-calibrating analog-digital converter 12 bit, 10 Mhz chip set.
Developed, fabricated and tested high density, radiation hardened 1 Mbit SRAM memory device.
Initiated development of a two-stage 35/60K Stirling Prototype Spacecraft Cryocooler (PSC) for LWIR sensors on SMTS. Designed and built bread board components.
Delivered 35/60K pulse tube cryocooler and 150K PSC for characterization testing.
Began life testing of 35K turbo cryocooler.
o ($2.500M) STRV-2:
Established host spacecraft interfaces and completed preliminary design.
Initiated detailed design of payload module and all experiments.
o ($87.000M) National Missile Defense Ground Based Radar Prototype (NMD-GBR-P)
Complete contract modification to incorporate a growable antenna design into the NMD prototype radar.
Complete fabrication of T/R modules.
Conduct environmental, facility, and site analysis at USAKA; develop facility requirements documentation and Electromagnetic Radiation/Electromagnetic Interference (EMR/EMI) analysis.
Award facility construction contract and begin construction at USAKA.
Continue development of software Realtime Digital Simulation (RDS) and HWIL simulation.
Fabricate, integrate and begin near-field verification testing of pilot antenna array.
Procure remaining piece parts for the NMD-GBR-P antenna.
Conduct Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
o ($54.091M) Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX):
Reintegrate cryostat and sensor with spacecraft; mate satellite with launch vehicle.
Launch satellite in third quarter.
Begin experiments including collection of target, background, and other phenomenology data.
Begin delivery of data and analysis products to BMDO, the USAF SBIRS, and other DoD users.
o ($19.656M) MSX Targets:
Complete integration and launch MSX targets on STARS/ODES.
Complete negotiations on agreement with Russian Academy of Science for AGRE Program.
Fabricate, integrate, and test first instrumented AGRE payload.
Complete integration and testing NMD sounding rocket experiments.
o ($3.000M) Red Tigress:
Complete fabrication and integration of payloads and boosters.
Launch in 4QFY96, collect, reduce, analyze, and report and distribute data products to users.
o ($22.510M) Passive Sensor Technology:
Deliver two lots of HgCdTe LWIR FPA hybrids from each contractor for performance testing and verification.
Initiate/continue endurance testing on 150K PSC and 35/60K pulse tube and Stirling coolers.
Deliver three 60K PSC units for characterization and endurance testing.
Initiate advanced optical coating development.
Complete fabrication and testing of ultra high performance 12 bit analog-to-digital converter.
Complete radiation hardened 1Mbit static random access memory development.
Complete board-level demonstration of rad-hard, fault tolerant 32-bit microprocessor and associated support circuits to verify function and performance.
Initiate cryocooler thermal bus effort to support thermal integration and heat removal.
o ($2.467M) STRV-2:
Complete all Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) and initiate hardware fabrication.
Complete qualification testing and delivery of composite structure; deliver SAMMES flight hardware.
Initiate integration of experiment hardware.
Transfer to the advanced technology program element (Project 1270) in FY97 and FY98.
o ($45.000M) National Missile Defense Ground Based Radar Prototype (NMD-GBR-P)
Conduct CDR and baseline the NMD-GBR-P Design.
Begin assembly and testing of antenna subarrays.
Continue facility construction with a Joint Occupancy Date in 3QFY97.
Begin integration and installation of the NMD-GBR-P at USAKA.
Begin modifications to the TMD-GBR Dem/Val radar for NMD uses.
Deliver RDS and HWILS to support software validation and Integrated Ground Tests (IGTs).
Deliver Software Block 1 and 2.
o ($30.709M) Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX):
Continue to collect and analyze target and surveillance data to support space-based tracking sensor program and other BMDO and DoD users.
Terminate satellite operation 4QFY97.
o ($8.000M) MSX Targets:
Launch NMD sounding rocket target mission experiments.
Launch first AGRE (AGRE 0) with uninstrumented explosive plasma generator on a Russian booster.
Planning second AGRE (AGRE 1) with instrumented payload on a Russian booster.
Complete data reduction analysis from target missions.
o ($22.220M) Passive Sensor Technology:
Initiate follow-on program for LWIR HgCdTe FPAs and deliver 2 lots of hybrid arrays for testing.
Deliver 35/60K PSC for characterization testing.
Initiate/continue endurance testing on 150K PSC, 60K PSC, 35/60K PSC, 35K turbo cryocooler and 35/60K pulse tube cryocoolers.
Complete prototype rad-hard 4Mbit SRAM.
Complete prototype high speed, 14-bit analog-digital converter.
Deliver initial samples of advanced optical coatings for testing.
Deliver prototype rad-hard, fault-tolerant 32 bit processor.
o ($25.000M) National Missile Defense Ground Based Radar Prototype (NMD-GBR-P)
Conduct CONUS Readiness Review.
Complete facility construction with a Beneficial Occupancy Date in 1QFY98.
Complete integration and installation of the NMD-GBR-P at USAKA.
Conduct USAKA Readiness Review.
Deliver Software Block 3.
Conduct On-line System verification test in 3QFY98.
o ($30.377M) Passive Sensor Technology:
Continue life testing of the 35/60K, 60K, and 150K coolers.
Extend cutoff wavelength of LWIR HgCdTe to 16 micro-meters.
Initiate/continue optics development in silicon carbide optics and contamination control technology.
Continue development, fabrication, and test of advanced, radiation-hardened electronic components and packaging technologies for processors, memory, and analog-digital converters.
Deliver rad-hard spectral filters that meet SMTS specifications.
(U) National Missile Defense Ground-Based Radar-Prototype (NMD-GBR-P): The NMD-GBR-P is being procured as a member of the GBR Family by the Army's Program Executive Office, Missile Defense for the BMDO. The Family of Radars acquisition approach emphasizes commonalty of hardware and software components that simultaneously satisfy both TMD and NMD missions. A full and open competition resulted in the award of the GBR Family of Strategic and Theater Dem/Val Radars contract to the Raytheon Company on 17 September 1992. The contract contained the development and test of the NMD-GBR Dem/Val Radar (GBR-T) which was restructured into the NMD-RTD program in FY94 and GBR-P in FY96. The TMD-GBR Dem/Val radar provides the basis for the NMD-GBR-P program, and in turn, the NMD-GBR-P provides the technology, hardware, and software needed to resolve the critical developmental issues associated with a NMD-GBR.
(U) Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX): The MSX effort is performed under existing contracts with USU/SDL, JHU/APL, McDonnell Douglas, NRC, Aerospace, MIT/LL, and Hughes. The JHU/APL effort will transfer from the Navy's contract to a task order under the new BMDO JHU/APL contract.
(U) MSX Targets: The primary contractor for AGRE will be JHU/APL in a task order under a new BMDO JHU/APL contract. The JHU/APL will contract with the Russians for the IDG's instrument payloads and for the launch vehicles and launch services. The primary contractor for the STARS/ODES target is Sandia National Laboratories. The NMD sounding rockets prime contractor is Orbital Sciences Corporation.
(U) Passive Sensor Technology: Passive sensor component development and fabrication is performed by industry with cost plus fixed fee and award fee contracts that are awarded on a competitive basis. Initial testing is performed in contractor facilities, however, compliance testing is performed in Government labs. These specialized components are high risk and there are few civilian and commercial markets for them. The components with the highest risk, the 35 Kelvin coolers and LWIR HgCdTe FPAs, will be maintained as dual approaches in order to reduce the technical risk. This effort supports both the developmental activities as well as the risk mitigation to ensure a source of producible FPAs and electronics for BMD application and system acquisition.
(U) Red Tigress: The Red Tigress telemetry data distribution and analysis will be continued under an existing contract with the National Air Intelligence Center.
(U) STRV-2: Program execution for STRV-2 consists of U.K. and U.S. contracts managed by UK/DRA to build the MWIR system. U.S. contractors managed by BMDO provide composite structures module and space environmental effects test modules. JPL and AF/PL are module integrators and co-manage the AF/NASA vibration isolation system in-house and contractual efforts. Radiation MM&D and the microelectronics testbed are JPL (funded by BMDO) and NASA in-house and subcontracted efforts. All contracts are currently in place and were awarded through full and open competition.
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | TOTAL COST | |
| Previous President's Budget | 107,142 | 102,675 | 88,920 | 64,927 | 363,664 |
| Current Budget Submit | 112,051 | 188,724 | 105,929 | 55,377 | 462,081 |
Funding:
o MSX IR sensor solid hydrogen cryostat leaks required additional funds in FY95 and FY96 to cover repairs, re-integration, retesting, the launch delay, and reprogramming of operations and data processing funds.
o Additional funding in FY97 for cryogen operation including cooperative target missions and target data analysis. Terminate satellite operations in the beginning of 4QFY97 prior to projected end of cryogen lifetime. MSX zero funded in FY98.
o Funding priorities have eliminated the third AGRE (AGRE 2) target and only provide for planning at this time for AGRE 1.
o The FY96 and FY97 plus-up to the NMD-GBR-P program was used to incorporate a growth oriented, more traceable antenna to the Objective/Deployable system antenna design into the radar design, fund the facility construction, and accelerate the verification test four years to FY98.
Schedule:
o National Missile Defense Ground-Based Radar-Prototype (NMD-GBR-P): The FY96 Congressional plus-up was used to accelerate the NMD-GBR-P verification test from 2Q/FY01 to FY98.
o Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX): A vent line rupture followed by leaks in the infrared sensor solid hydrogen cryostat compounded with scheduling conflicts with the Delta launch crew and pad have delayed the launch 17 months. This will delay delivery of data and analysis products to the space-based tracking sensor program and other BMDO and DoD users but will not impact their schedules.
o MSX Targets: Delayed due to MSX launch delay.
o Passive Sensor Technology: The schedule slip for the space-based tracking sensor program caused some sensor component technology development schedules to slip in the out years.
Technical:
o Passive Sensor Technology: The VLWIR silicon FPAs and the companion sorption cryocooler have been postponed indefinitely. Without funding there is a potential that the United States will lose this capability. A defect reduction effort to improve HgCdTe materials in order to meet space-based tracking sensor requirements will be incorporated into current efforts. Alternative approaches to many of these technologies, as risk reduction efforts, have been dropped. Contamination control and rad-hard star tracker efforts will be delayed one year.
o NMD-GBR-P: A growth oriented, more traceable antenna for an objective/deployable system has been incorporated into the radar design.
| Related RDT&E: | Funding Dependency? (Yes1/No) |
| 1155 Phenomenology Program, PE 0603871C | No |
| 1161 Advanced Sensor Technology, PE 0603871C | No |
| 1267 Ground-Based Interceptor, PE 0603871C | No |
| 1270 Advanced Interceptors, PE 0603871C | No |
| 1460 NMD BMC3, PE 0603871C | No |
| 2260 THAAD System, PE 0603861C | Yes |
| 3152 NMD System Engineering, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3157 Environmental, Siting & Facilities, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3160 Deployment Planning, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3265 User Interface, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3352 Modeling & Simulation, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3354 Targets Support, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3359 System Test & Evaluation, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3360 Test Resources, PE 0603871C, 0603872C | No |
| Space and Missile Tracking System, PE 0603441F | 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 | xd | ||||||||||||
| T&E Milestone | xe | xf | xg,h | xk | xj | |||||||||||
| Tech Demo Milestone | xl | xm | xn | xo | xp | |||||||||||
| Contract Milestone | xq | xr | xs | xt | ||||||||||||
a NMD-RTD SDR
b NMD-GBR-P PDR
c STARS/ODES dedicated MSX target mission
d NMD-GBR-P CDR
e MSX Launch
f Red Tigress III launch
g AGRE 0 launch
h NMD sounding rocket target missions for MSX
j NMD-GBR-P On-line verification test
k MSX Cryogen end of life
l IGT-1: Inter-element message transfer demo at Integrated System Test Capability (ISTC)
m IGT-2: Functional interface demo at ISTC
n ISTC-1
o MSX dedicated target or STARS/ODES launch
p IGT-4: Expanded threat scenario with expanded functional interoperability
q NMD-RTD contract modification completed
r NMD-GBR-P contract modification completed
s U.S./Russia AGRE agreements signed
t MSX satellite operations terminated
| Deliver LWIR focal plane arrays | 3Q/FY99 |
| Conduct NMD system flight test with EKV, BM/C3, GBR-P, and SMTS FDS | 3Q/FY99 |
| Downselect 35 Kelvin cooler based on life test data | 1Q/FY00 |
| MSX Spacecraft end of life (but operations terminated in FY97) | 4Q/FY00 |
| Complete cooler life tests | 4Q/FY00 |