Award Data

The utility of passive electro-optical, infrared (EO/IR) systems to contribute to closing the fire control loop to enable successful engagement of threat ballistic missiles has been anticipated for over a decade. Investments in the Airborne Laser (ABL) have begun to reap dividends as that program systematically addresses the myriad of technical challenges necessary to increase readiness of critica ...

The proposed work extends studies conducted during Phase I to a demonstration of weapons typing assessment with high confidence using information from the BMD System at the Missile Defense Integrated Operation Center (MDIOC) and additional data from non-M

The objective of the research is to produce a technology that will effectively automate the processes of recognizing security threats to BMDS under the conditions of unpredictable dynamic situations and the periods of heightened alerts. Our method will provide human operators with results in the context of tactical and operational BMDS situations and gives sufficient explanations needed for future ...

The objective of this proposal is to develop enhanced clutter and interference suppression methods to perform target detection and identification in presence of a cluttered environment. In addition, protection against mainbeam jamming is also addressed here using distributed Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) sensor technology. For this purpose smart transmit beamforming using together with ad ...

This proposal is for the development of a versatile, computationally-efficient simulation tool for integrating flight path data from missile interceptors and targets, and analyzing defensive missile scenarios. Innovative cooperative guidance algorithms for multiple interceptors pursuing multiple targets will be developed. These algorithms, based on the framework of virtual bodies and artificial po ...

The main objective will be to optimize and improve the reliability and reduce the overall system weight for the numerous currently pneumatically actuated flight qualified valves. The Phase I formulations of lightweight and chemical resistant composites will be optimized for performance and ease of fabrication into valve components. Prototype valves will be fabricated and tested. Extensive te ...

To provide the Airborne Laser (ABL) precision ranging and 3-D track refinement capability for the next generation active ranging system (NGARS), Voxtel will develop an avalanche photodiode (APD) receiver. Unlike the original ARS, which uses a 10.6 µm CO2 laser, Voxtel’s InGaAs-based ARS receiver is designed for high-speed photon counting between 1.0 – 1.6 µm. Operation in the short-wave infr ...

A critical need for the ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) is the determination of the warhead type contained within the intercepted threat. Knowledge of warhead type is essential for effective consequence mitigation and determining the National Command Authority response to the threat. Since missile defense threat scenarios include attacks on theater assets and our allies, the BMDS architec ...

The most significant hardware costs on a missile interceptor propulsion system are associated with the thrusters, for which there are typically four divert thrusters and four, six, or eight attitude control thrusters per interceptor. The largest contributor to the thruster cost is the integrated valve/injector. Integration of the valve and injector into a single body provides the benefits of low d ...

The implementation of anti-tamper (AT) technology as one vital strategy for preserving US military superiority. (Communiqué DoD 5200.1-M) In response to this need, many AT technologies have been developed including AT coatings for securing electronic components and devices. However, the use of successful AT coatings is impeded by lack of a manufacturing process that: 1.) Possesses the capacity ...