SIGHTINGS


 
'Brilliant Eyes' Space and
Missile Tracking System
From Kevin <kxs@digital.net>
http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/warning/smts.htm
 
 
 

The Space and Missile Tracking System, also known as Brilliant Eyes, is currently in the demonstration and validation phase. The system will consist of a constellation of small, low-cost lightweight, low-altitude satellites. The key role of Brilliant Eyes is to support Theater Missile Defense by providing the capability for world-wide tracking of ballistic missiles in flight from launch to re-entry. Brilliant Eyes will provide precise and timely launch point estimates to enable prompt counterstrikes against missile launchers. It will cue ground-based radars to acquire incoming missiles or warheads. Brilliant Eyes will then assess the status of these targets. During peacetime, Brilliant Eyes monitors ballistic missile tests worldwide by collecting threat development, deployment, signature and trajectory data. This allows defenses to maintain and optimize their effectiveness as new threats appear.

 
 
 

 In addition, Brilliant Eyes provides more data for accurate impact point and time predictions than existing systems, greatly reducing the number of units that it takes for operating inhibiting countermeasures. Brilliant Eyes satellites will also be used for surveillance of objects in space, helping to prevent collisions between satellites, spacecraft and space debris. Brilliant Eyes is currently in the demonstration and validation phase.

 
 
SMTS is the low earth orbit component of the SBIRS architecture. Its unique capability to track missiles throughout their trajectory - not just during the "hot" boost phase - allows the system to effectively cue missile defense systems with accurate targeting data. It is particularly useful to National Missile Defense and against the longest range theater missile threats. SMTS also has the potential to address other SBIRS requirements, such as Technical Intelligence and Battlespace Characterization. A SMTS constellation optimized for national missile defense would consist of 21 satellites in three orbit planes. One optimized for all four SBIRS missions would contain at least 28 satellites in four orbit planes. The baseline SMTS program plans a deployment decision in 2000, with a first launch in 2006.
 
According to prime contractor TRW:
 
Working in pairs for stereoscopic viewing, the satellites develop precise location, velocity and acceleration data on the missile warhead and associated debris or decoys.
 
The currently planned interceptors can engage threats at ranges beyond the capabilities of their associated radars. Using data generated by SMTS, these interceptors can use that excess capability to negate attacking missiles far from friendly forces and population centers. Early intercepts allow SMTS to assess the attacking missile's status so that additional interceptors are launched only if needed. This shoot-look-shoot option reduces interceptor inventory requirements. Early intercepts made possible by SMTS extend the boundaries of the defended area some three to five times.
 
SMTS can precisely cue ground radars; allowing them to limit operations until a hostile missile is within their range. This reduces the threat from homing anti-radiation missiles -- likely players on modern battlefields.
 
The constellation provides global surveillance for ballistic missile launches within seconds. Early detection allows for precise launch point determination, enabling theater forces to destroy the launcher before more missiles can be fired.
 
The program is currently developing two Flight Demonstration System (FDS) satellites, which will be launched in FY 1999 for two years of on-orbit tests and data collection. TRW and Hughes are teamed for executing the FDS program.
 
Acceleration of the SMTS deployment to the year 2002 in response to Congressional interest to support an early National Missile Defense capability, would force the FDS to be down-scoped to emphasize NMD only, not a system fully capable of performing all the IR missions.
 
 
Constellation           12-24 satellites in multiple rings at low altitude

Satellites              <1500 lbs each

Launch Vehicle          Delta 7920 (up to 4 satellites per launch)

Payload                 Wide field-of-view acquisition sensor (SWIR)
                        Narrow field-of-view tracking sensor
                        (MWIR,MLWIR, LWIR and visible)

Communications          60 GHz between satellites
                        44/20 GHz to ground
                        S-band to satellite control network

Electrical Power        1.5 kW silicon solar arrays
                        40 amp-hr. nickel-hydrogen battery

Lifetime                10 years

Availability            99%
 
___
 
References
 
* FY97 Research & Development Descriptive Summary
 
* Statement of Operational Objective 11 June 1996
* Commerce Business Daily 1 April 1996
* Scenarios 1 May 1996
* Synopsis 15 May 1996
* Industry Day Briefing 200k Powerpoint file - 8 May 1996
* Industry Day Briefing a normal browser-viewable extract - 8 May 1996
* Contractor Library
 
* Some Industry Viewgraphs





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