- The potential to intercept and destroy a missile over
enemy territory soon after launch, rather than over friendly territory,
makes the development of a boost phase intercept (BPI) capability very
desirable. In concert with ground based theater missile defense (TMD)
systems already under development, the U.S. continues to investigate BPI
concepts for BMD systems.
-
- The SBL program could develop the technology to provide
the U.S. with an advanced BMD system for both theater and national missile
defense. BMDO believes that an SBL system has the potential to make other
contributions to U.S. security and world security as a whole, such as
inducing potential aggressors to abandon ballistic missile programs by
rendering them useless. Failing that, BMDO believes that the creation
of such a universal defense system would provide the impetus for other
nations to expand their security agreements with the United States,
bringing
them under a U. S. sponsored missile defense umbrella.
-
- An SBL platform would achieve missile interception by
focusing and maintaining a high powered laser on a target until it achieves
catastrophic destruction. Energy for the sustained laser burst is
generated
by the chemical reaction of the hydrogen fluoride (HF) molecule. The HF
molecules are created in an excited state from which the subsequent
optical
energy is drawn by an optical resonator surrounding the gain
generator.
-
- Lasers have been studied for their usefulness in air
defense since 1973, when the Mid Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL)
was first tested against tactical missiles and drone aircraft. Work on
such systems continued through the 1980s, with the Airborne Laser
Laboratory,
which completed the first test laser intercepts above the earth. Initial
work on laser based defense systems was overseen by the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), but transferred to the newly created
Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) in 1984. Work continues
today under the auspices of the BMDO, the successor to the SDIO.
-
- The SBL program builds on a broad variety of technologies
developed by the SDIO in the 1980s. The work on the Large Optics
Demonstration
Experiment (LODE), completed in 1987, provided the means to control the
beams of large, high powered lasers. The Large Advanced Mirror Program
(LAMP) designed and built a 4 meter diameter space designed mirror with
the required optical figure and surface quality. In 1991, the Alpha laser
(2.8 mm) developed by the SDIO achieved megawatt power at the requisite
operating level in a low pressure environment similar to space. Numerous
Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing/ Fire Control (ATP/ FC) experiments
both completed and currently underway will provide the SBL platform with
stable aimpoints. Successes in the field of ATP include advances in
inertial
reference, vibration isolation, and rapid retargeting/ precision pointing
(R2P2). In 1995 the Space Pointing Integrated Controls Experiment offered
near weapons level results during testing.
-
- Most recently, the Alpha LAMP Integration (ALI) program
has performed integrated high energy ground testing of the laser and beam
expander to demonstrate the critical system elements. The next step is
an integrated space vehicle ground test with a space demonstration to
conclusively prove the feasibility of deploying an operational SBL
system.
-
- Future plans include orbiting the SBL Readiness
Demonstrator
(SBLRD) in order to test all of the systems together in their intended
working environment. Designs for the SBLRD satellite call for four major
subsystems: the ATP system; providing acquisition, tracking, targeting,
stabilization, and assessment capabilities; the laser device, providing
the optical power, and beam quality, as well as maintains nozzle
efficiency;
the optics and beam control systems, enhancing and focus the beam,
augmenting
the capabilities of the laser device; and the space systems, providing
a stable platform, storage of the reactants, and furnish electrical power
(but do not power the laser).
-
- The SBLRD is intended to demonstrate the capability to
perform boost phase Theater Missile Defense from space. The objectives
of the space demonstration include gaining performance information
critical
to the development of an operational SBL system, as well as gain a general
understanding of operating such a system.
-
- BMDO and the Air Force agreed to transfer the execution
of the SBLRD project and the related SBL technology developments to the
Air Force. BMDO retained overarching SBL architecture
responsibilities.
- Link
-
-
-
- MainPage
http://www.rense.com
-
-
-
- This
Site Served by TheHostPros
|