Space-Based Sensors A Ballistic Missile's Worst Nightmare

 Space-based sensors can expand the ranks and efficacité of the U.S. Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) capabilities, a recent test missile defense HAS Shown.

Conducted Feb. 13 by the Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), an Aegis "launch on remote" test used tracking data from the Space Tracking and Surveillance System satellites-Demonstrators to form a fire control solution for the interceptor missile.

Were the satellites built by Northrop Grumman as prime contractor, Raytheon infrared sensor payloads Supplied for the Both satellites.

The quality and accuracy of STSS-D tracking data Were Sufficient for a Navy Aegis guided missile cruiser to launch a Standard Missile-3 Block 1A interceptor "on remote" before the on-board radar's track Could be used to launch the interceptor.

"This test shows decisively That space-based sensors are a ballistic missile's worst nightmare," Said Doug Young, vice president, missile defense and warning, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif.

"The mature technologies onboard Both STSS satellites are Demonstrating-D capabilities like missile tracking continuous That Are only be from the high ground of space."

During the test, designated FTM-20, the satellites leveraged low-Earth orbit Their position to Acquire and track the target missile and Deliver the data via the Ballistic Missile Defense System to Aegis cruiser year at sea to form a firing solution Quickly and launch the SM-3 interceptor 1A.

"Aegis launch on remote Essentially Expands the Aegis cruiser year area can defend by leveraging satellite data to undertake the threat Earlier. This is a true 'force multiply' Because it uses Existing interceptors," Said David Bloodgood, the company's STSS program manager.

"The STSS satellites-D Demonstrated That future Low Earth Orbit space capabilities can be a strength increase for Existing missile defense systems."

Both satellites participate in. Such tests have FTM-20 to Demonstrate the Ability of a space sensor to Provide high-precision, real-time tracking of missiles and midcourse objects enable That closing the fire control loops with BMDS interceptors.

They can use sensors of infrared and visible light Detecting to track missiles through Their full course of flight. Lessons learned from testing thesis will inform future BMDS operational space capabilities.