RDT&E, Defensewide / BA 04 (Dem/Val) PE: 0603871C (Proj: 1267)
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 | 137,106 | 283,359 | 175,916 | 207,439 | 175,996 | 127,515 | 132,579 | Continuing | Continuing |
(U) The GBI project has been restructured as a deployment readiness program using an evolutionary acquisition strategy to develop and demonstrate the NMD interceptor capability such that effective missile defenses could be deployed if required. The emphasis is on an earlier demonstration of NMD system capability, which requires development not only of the EKV, but also of a booster capable of NMD performance. In addition, the competitive EKV approaches are carried through an intercept fly-off to reduce risk. Specifically, an Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) will be developed and flight tested which can accomplish intercepts of high speed, long range Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) reentry vehicles (RVs) in the midcourse of their trajectories. The project will develop an interceptor capable of acquiring a threat cluster from information supplied by midcourse sensors, selecting the RV, and destroying it by force of impact (kinetically) outside the earth's atmosphere. The interceptor must be able to combine NMD sensor information with the scene its on-board seeker observes and select the lethal object for its target. If insufficient information is available from the rest of the NMD system, the interceptor must also be able to determine the lethal object through on-board discrimination and target selection.
(U) EKV: The initial focus of GBI development remains the front end of the missile, the EKV. However, requests for information (RFIs) pertaining to development of a booster and the associated launch control equipment will be released in FY96. A four-year booster development effort will begin in FY98 to support integrated NMD system demonstrations beginning in FY01. Because the EKV is the most critical and most technically challenging part of the interceptor, near-term resources will be used to support competitive kill vehicle development and testing. Until booster development is complete, kill vehicle flight tests will be flown using the Payload Launch Vehicle (PLV), a booster consisting of Minuteman II second and third stages.
(U) EKV sensor flight tests, scheduled in FY96 and FY97, will mitigate EKV risk by demonstrating two things that cannot be duplicated on the ground: seeker operation in the tactical environment, and target selection algorithm performance against realistic targets and backgrounds. EKV intercept flights will incrementally demonstrate NMD system capability, beginning with a limited BM/C3 operating on-line. The first tests will be a competitive fly-off in FY98, followed by a down select to one contractor. By FY99, the flight tests will demonstrate NMD interoperability between the EKV, on-line BM/C3, and on-line medium/long wavelength infrared (M/LWIR) Space and Missile Tracking System (SMTS) Flight Demonstration System. Flight testing will prove the GBI's ability to intercept representative targets under real engagement conditions, reliably and repeatedly. The interceptor will also demonstrate its ability to determine the lethal object through on-board discrimination and target selection.
(U) Interceptor Technology: GBI risk reduction technology efforts enhance the baseline interceptor program. These technology efforts focus on critical components such as hardened infrared focal planes and electronics, optical baffles, and on-board computers. These items have payoff potential for improved military utility/capability for NMD. The timeline for technology infusion is post-FY99, depending on the results of EKV and NMD testing. The interceptor communications effort will develop a transceiver for communications between the interceptor and the ground station. This transceiver will have a 20 GHz down link for EKV health and status data and endgame shoutback (including video imagery). It will have a simultaneous 44 GHz uplink for in-flight target updates (IFTU) and the Target Object Map (TOM) to aid in terminal guidance. There will be a secure communications link including encryption and COMSEC and TRANSEC functionality. Interceptor propulsion efforts, which are low level technology activities designed to address GBI flight vehicle issues, supplement the EKV effort.
(U) EKV Target and Target Test Support: This activity provides test planning and test mission support activities. It also provides the capabilities needed to deploy target payload objects for testing of the sensor and inteceptor flight tests. The target launch vehicle isa three stage Minuteman II booster with a newly developed front section, the multi-Servide launch system (MSLS). The MSLS demonstration flight is planned for 3QFY96.
(U) GBI is now a deployment readiness program using an evolutionary acquisition strategy focused on demonstrating the capability to defend the United States against a ballistic missile threat. The deployment readiness approach builds on the successes of the earlier GBI-Experimental (GBI-X) program, including FY92-93 breadboard and brassboard demonstrations of critical and contractor-unique kill vehicle components. These included focal planes, cryocoolers, and telescopes for the on-board seeker, and the software needed for target selection. In FY94, the executing agent conducted a down select from three to two EKV contractors. The remaining contractors proceeded with EKV design and development, which culminated in a software preliminary design review (PDR) and a hardware critical design review (CDR) in FY95. In addition, the PLV has undergone design modification to accept the EKV payload and test instrumentation. In parallel with these efforts, supporting EKV technologies have demonstrated focal plane array (FPA) producibility, breadboard laser radar (Ladar) components for discrimination of advanced or future threats, flexseal booster nozzles for the objective GBI booster, and advanced kill vehicle structure manufacturing techniques.
(U) The GBI program formerly incorporated early EKV contractor down select. This would have increased NMD system risk due to the lack of the flight-proven hardware. To reduce technical risk, the present GBI program supports kill vehicle development, fabrication, and intercept flight testing by both EKV contractors before down select. Because the technical features of the two EKV designs are unique, a viable NMD intercept capability is ensured. GBI booster development will begin in FY98 and will be completed in FY01 to support NMD system demonstrations.
o ($119.351M) Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV):
Continued preparations to launch two EKV sensors in FY96 and FY97 using the PLV system.
Acquired long-lead hardware and performed PLV modifications for two boosters.
Began upgrade of command and launch equipment for EKV flight testing.
Supported functional interface demo at Integrated System Test Capability (ISTC).
Completed fabrication and assembly of infrared FPA/cryocooler assembly, analog signal processor, and optics for EKV sensor flight tests by both contractors.
Integrated, acceptance-tested, and delivered sensor flight test units.
Continued software development, including validation and simulation updates.
Conducted Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) simulations to qualify seeker for flight testing.
Conducted hardware CDR to approve EKV design for flight test unit fabrication.
Completed Government preparation for exercise of EKV flight test option by one or both contractors.
Initiated government preparation for EKV seeker flights, including KMR launch facility preliminary tasks and support activities.
o ($3.794M) Interceptor Technology:
Fabricated Pilotline Experiment Technology (PET) test lot.
Conducted down select to one Silicon Hybrid Infrared Extrinsic Long-wavelength Detectors (SHIELD) FPA contractor.
Terminated Long Wave Infrared Advanced Technology Seeker (LATS) effort.
Initiated development of a 20/44 GHz transceiver for interceptor communications, including a low temperature growth gallium arsenide low noise amplifier for 20 GHz transmitter, and a 20 GHz space-to-ground demonstration.
Fabricated booster nozzle subassembly and conducted static pressure test.
o ($13.961M) EKV Targets and Target Test Support:
Continued development of targets to support EKV sensor flight tests in FY96 and FY97.
Completed development of MSLS booster system.
Prepared for MSLS demo launch in FY96.
o ($248.190M) EKV:
Integrate EKV sensors with PLV boosters and interface the missile with the test range.
Conduct EKV sensor flight test (Integrated Flight Test (IFT)-1) and begin data reduction.
Acquire long-lead PLV booster hardware for FY98 kill vehicle flight tests and fabricate upper stage.
Interface with BM/C3 element for FY98 flight tests.
Fabricate EKV seeker, avionics processor, structure, and propulsion subsystems for the competitive FY98 kill vehicle flight tests.
Conduct software CDR.
Integrate hardware and software, and conduct HWIL and simulations on the EKV flight test vehicle.
Reactivate U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) GBI facilities and supporting activities.
Develop RFIs for a high performance GBI booster.
o ($11.171M) Interceptor Technology:
Resume SHIELD silicon FPA readout electronics and hardening design work.
Continue PET HgCdTe FPA development, focusing on reduced size readout electronics.
Conduct 20/44 GHz transceiver preliminary brass board demonstration, including ground-to-ground test range demo.
Execute simulated high altitude booster nozzle static firing.
Initiate infrared sensor baffle section prototype build.
o ($23.998M) EKV Targets and Target Test Support:
Conduct MSLS demo launch.
Complete target builds for FY96 and FY97 sensor flights.
Conduct target launch for first EKV sensor flight.
Initiate target build for competitive EKV intercept missions in FY98.
o ($147.105M) EKV:
Conduct second EKV sensor flight test (IFT-2), complete data analysis, and incorporate any required changes in preparation for the competitive FY98 flight tests.
Complete fabrication, assembly, and testing of EKV hardware for FY98 flight tests.
Continue EKV/PLV booster hardware and software integration, flight qualification, and acceptance testing.
Acquire long-lead PLV booster hardware for FY99 EKV flight test.
Update and validate EKV sensor, kill vehicle models and simulations based on seeker flight data.
o ($7.413M) Interceptor Technology:
Begin radiation-hardened SHIELD FPA and readout electronics production.
Perform ground tests of PET readouts. Begin reduced size HgCdTe detector development.
Continue 20/44 GHz transceiver package development, including size, weight, and power reduction for final fabrication.
Fabricate booster nozzle subassembly and conduct vectoring static tests.
Build two infrared flight baffles.
o ($21.398M) EKV Targets and Target Test Support:
Conduct target launch for second EKV sensor flight.
Continue preparation for competitive EKV intercept missions in FY98.
Initiate target development for NMD Integrated Flight Tests starting in FY99.
o ($178.429M) EKV:
Conduct two competitive EKV intercept flight experiments (IFT-3 & -4).
Begin data reduction and incorporation of flight test results into HWIL simulations.
Conduct down select to a single EKV contractor based on intercept test results and progress to date.
Complete EKV fabrication for FY99 intercept flight.
Acquire PLV hardware to support FY99 EKV/NMD integrated flight test.
Begin GBI dedicated booster development.
Fabricate EKV components for FY00 flight testing.
o ($9.430M) Interceptor Technology:
Deliver radiation hardened PET, SHIELD FPAs and readout electronics.
Complete development of a 20/44 GHz prototype integrated transceiver, packaged for EKV use, including size, weight, and power requirements. Deliver for use in EKV testing.
Deliver prototype baffles.
o ($19.580M) EKV Targets and Target Test Support:
Conduct target launches for competitive EKV flights.
Prepare targets for NMD integrated flight intercept mission.
Procure long lead target hardware for next EKV/NMD/SMTS missions.
(U) In FY96, RFIs will be released for GBI booster development. Contract award for a four-year booster development effort will be in FY98. The GBI booster will support NMD testing beginning in FY01. Other mid-term efforts will include component engineering to increase EKV reliability and effectiveness. Integrated system flight testing starting in FY99 will demonstrate limited NMD capability and NMD-GBR-P/BM/C3/MLWIR SMTS interoperability. Later GBI development will infuse advanced seeker and other kill vehicle component technologies to provide robust intercept capability against the evolving threat.
| FY1995 | FY1996 | FY1997 | FY1998 | TOTAL COST | |
| Previous President's Budget | 137,810 | 126,646 | 149,550 | 182,138 | 596,144 |
| Current Budget Submit | 137,106 | 283,359 | 175,916 | 207,439 | 803,820 |
Funding: Funding was increased by $166.177M in FY96 and by $26.366M in FY97 to support development, fabrication, and test of the second EKV contractor's kill vehicle to reduce risk and provide NMD technology alternatives.
Schedule: The schedule was amended to accommodate competitive intercept flights in FY98 and initiation of GBI booster development within the current budget. This includes delay of contractor down select to 3QFY98 and focus on an FY99 integrated intercept flight.
Technical: None
| Related RDT&E: | Funding Dependency? (Yes1/No) |
| 1151 Sensors (Active & Passive), PE 0603871C | No |
| 1155 Phenomenology Program, PE 0603871C | No |
| 1270 Applied Interceptor Materials & Systems Technology, PE 0603173C | No |
| 1460 NMD BM/C3, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3152 NMD System Engineering, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3157 Environmental, Siting, and Facilities, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3160 Deployment Planning, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3265 User Interface, PE 0603871C | No |
| 3359 System Test and Evaluation, PE 0603173C | No |
| 3360 Test Resources, PE 0603173C/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 | |||||||||||||
| T&E Milestone | xd | xe | xf | xg | ||||||||||||
| Tech Demo Milestone | xh,i | xj | ||||||||||||||
| Contract Milestone | xk | |||||||||||||||
a Completed EKV hardware critical design review
b Complete EKV software CDR
c Begin dedicated GBI booster development
d Conduct EKV sensor flight (IFT-1)
e Conduct EKV sensor flight (IFT-2)
f Conduct EKV flight test with BM/C3 on line (IFT-3)
g Conduct EKV flight test with BM/C3 on line (IFT-4)
h Inter-element message transfer demo at ISTC
i Functional interface demo at Integrated Ground Test (IGT)-1
j Functional interface demo at IGT-2
k Down select to one EKV contractor
| Conduct NMD integrated flight test with EKV, BM/C3, GBR-P, FDS, and UEWR on-line | 3Q/FY99 |
| Conduct NMD integrated flight test with EKV, BM/C3, GBR-P, FDS, and UEWR in-line | 3Q/FY00 |
| Conduct NMD integrated flight test | 4Q/FY01 |
| Conduct SMTS flight test | 4Q/FY00 |