STSS was the first Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense remote engagement based on STSS data, resulting in a suc- cessful missile intercept. Space-based Kill Assessment (SKA). The SKA system is a small net- work of sensors hosted on commer- cial satellites launched incrementally during the late 2010s. These sensors are on orbit and executing planned test events, with the mission run by the MDA from the MDIOC. Each in- dividual sensor houses three infrared detectors to collect the energy signa- ture of the impact between a threat ballistic missile and a Missile Defense System interceptor. SKA is available to support declared Periods of Height- ened Activity and provides situational awareness Hit Assessments to the Warfighter for real-world, ground- based interceptor engagements. Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS). Before delv- ing into HBTSS, an understanding is needed of the rapidly advancing missile threat. Anticipating Our Adversaries Peer, near-peer, and rogue nation adversaries have been hard at work developing advanced weapons capa- ble of defeating our current systems and tipping the scales of global stra- tegic power. Their efforts have greatly outpaced our offensive and defensive efforts and have been unhindered by their acquisition systems. There have been numerous advancements in ballistic missile capabilities designed to defeat our defenses. These have included decoys and countermea- sures, dimmer rocket stages, rocket fuel innovations, and maneuverable re-entry vehicles. There also have been advances in Fractional Orbital Bombardments Systems, where the weapon delivery system is placed into LEO before de- orbiting and releasing its warhead— potentially a Hypersonic Glide Ve- hicle (HGV)—on its predetermined target. Unlike ballistic weapons, the weapon’s range is unlimited, its des-
tination cannot be predicted, and de- livery routes can be executed to evade ground-based warning sensors. Other rapidly evolving threats are hypersonic weapons and HGVs. These weapons can be conventional or nonconventional and pose a great challenge due to their speeds (Mach 5 and above) and maneuverability. After re-entering the atmosphere and diving, the HGVs glide at low altitudes and can maneuver at high accel- eration to evade radar detection and descend on their intended targets. Another challenging aspect of some HGVs is their very low radiant inten- sity, which makes it very challenging or impossible for most conventional infrared space sensors to detect. HBTSS—Development and De- livery at the Speed of Relevancy. The rapid advancement of the HGV drove the need for HBTSS, a unique sensor designed with the sensitivity to detect dim HGVs and the quality of service required to provide the fire control-quality data necessary to develop 3-D tracks and enable a successful intercept. Unlike many
development programs, HBTSS has successfully bridged the “valley of death” from a prototype to a future operational Warfighter capability as an integral component of the Golden Dome for America. The HBTSS, or fire control-quality sensor, is planned to be integrated into the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture in support of the missile defense mission area. As the HGV threat rapidly ad- vanced, a compelling need emerged to rapidly develop the capability to track HGVs (after all, if you can’t see them, you can’t shoot them) and en- able the Glide Phase Interceptor, an- other MDA development program specifically designed to defeat HGVs in the glide phase of flight. So, what kind of acquisition strategy would allow the HBTSS program team to move with the speed of relevancy and deliver Warfighter capability in a timely manner? The team inherently knew that MDA’s unique acquisition authorities for major systems would not suffice, nor would traditional ac- quisition strategies (i.e., those based
Notional representation of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, or fire control-quality sensor, which is planned to be integrated into the U.S. Space Force Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Source: Courtesy of Missile Defense Agency
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