Technologies that are being pursued include multiple quantum well focal plane arrays (FPAs) to provide acquisition of targets in a cluttered background through operation of simultaneous multicolor, large format (1024 x 1024), highly uniform (less than 1% nonuniformity) detector arrays (as opposed to the smaller format (256 x 256), single color, less uniform (8%) FPAs currently available); smart focal plane arrays to preprocess signals on or near the FPA (versus off-FPA) to reduce signal processor throughput and mass; eye-safe LADAR to provide three-dimensional imaging capability beyond a 100-km range in the atmosphere in a reduced package (less than 20 kg versus more than 50 kg state-of-the-art); wide-angle search radar for all-weather theater ballistic missile booster surveillance; and tracking and discrimination data fusion algorithms. Both the ASTP and the Integrated Sensor/Data Fusion Demonstration will develop and demonstrate these technologies in laboratory and ground tests prior to an airborne technology demonstration. Complementary technology efforts on dual-band, cooled IR FPAs using layered mercury-cadmium-telluride technology and highly uniform uncooled FPAs are underway as described in DTO SE.33.01, Advanced Focal Plane Array Technology.

Ground test demonstration of multiple sensor data fusion capability using fault-tolerant neural network image processors will take place in FY99. The first airborne demonstration has been scheduled for FY01. The fused sensor suite will be used to observe theater and strategic ballistic missile targets of opportunity. Additionally, it will perform launch detection/warning, interceptor and other defense cueing, precise tracking, impact point prediction, launch point estimation, and discrimination.

The following technologies are necessary for interceptor discrimination: lightweight laser radar to provide 3D imaging capability leading to long-range discrimination with 20-cm range resolution and 2-cm/s velocity resolution in a 5-10-kg package (an order of magnitude smaller than can be achieved with present technology); simultaneous multispectral long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) focal plane arrays (FPAs) to extend acquisition of cold targets from 500 km to 800 km by increasing specific detectivity by a factor of two; highly uniform FPAs as discussed in DTO D.02; and data fusion techniques to combine the outputs of active and passive sensors in a miniaturized package providing a fourfold improvement over the state of the art in terms of GFLOPS/watt and GFLOPS/dollar, and a seventyfold improvement in packaging density (700 GFLOPS/ft³). The Discriminating Interceptor Technology Program will develop and demonstrate these technologies in laboratory tests and low-cost interceptor flight tests. Technology needs for multispectral and highly uniform FPAs are also being addressed by complementary technology efforts under DTO SE.33.01, Advanced Focal Plane Array Technology. Systems benefiting from this technology are the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, Theater High-Altitude Air Defense System (THAAD), and the Navy Upper Tier Interceptor.

Milestones and demonstrations include building and bench testing prototype LADARs, and lab testing simultaneous two-color LWIR FPA at 0.2-1.0 x 10¹² Jones (4Q98); downselection between completing solid-state and CO₂ LADAR designs (1Q99), lab testing a fusion processor and algorithms, and building and lab testing a 10-kg prototype LADAR (4Q99); integrating a two-color passive FPA and fusion processor into a prototype shared-optics fused seeker (3Q01); lab and field testing a fused seeker (1Q02); and flight testing a fused seeker in an EKV observation package (4Q02). The first discriminating interceptor demonstration will take place in FY02. It will take advantage of the fly-along bus in a BMD core program test. This first test will observe the target, decoys, and debris and perform real-time discrimination between them.

The program will begin in the second quarter of FY97. Demonstration of the advanced module will take place in the fourth quarter of FY00, and designs for the Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ground-based radar (GBR) and the National Missile Defense (NMD) GBR will be complete by the end of FY01. The radar module development program will produce form, fit, and function replacement T/R modules for the THAAD GBR and the NMD GBR with greatly increased power, efficiency, and lifetime. The program will be completed in time for preplanned product improvement (P³I) insertion into the THAAD GBR, to take place in FY02-FY04. It will allow a 40% increase in GBR range.

The various MMIC technologies are targeted for use in the THAAD GBR and the NMD GBR, which are both X-band multielement radars. Advanced solid-state T/R modules for the THAAD and NMD GBRs will improve their target detection capabilities by roughly a factor of two, allow them to discriminate various threats from one another by improving their sensitivities by a factor of five, and allow them to operate in a burnthrough mode to overcome jamming and radio frequency interference. The Army's PEO Missile Defense is the supporting customer.

The Advanced Space Surveillance DTO will develop a 10-GB/s data rate laser communicator with lightweight, low-power transceivers suitable for platforms such as space vehicles. The program will develop high-density wavelength-division multiplexing waveguide components for very large bandwidth supercomputer links and distributed massively parallel computer networks. This DTO will provide a hundredfold processing increase over the current THAAD BMC³ capability. Milestones include the following: by 3Q97, completion of a next-generation Lasercom terminal; by 4Q98, demonstration of a 10-element array of optical amplifier and array modulators; by 1Q99, joint experiments with the United Kingdom on Space Test Research Vehicle-2 (STRV-2); by 3Q00, demonstration of terabit-bandwidth communications with eight interconnected commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) workstations; and in 2Q01, a ground-to-air test of the next-generation Lasercom.

This program will fabricate, assemble, and test a 2.6-kW photovoltaic solar array (SCARLET-2) for use on NASA's New Millenium Program spacecraft; and design and develop a SCARLET-3 solar array that will provide 70 W/kg for 7 years at 1,500 km. SCARLET technology goals include the following: specific power of 50-80 W/kg (SCARLET-2 is 50 W/kg at 2.6 kW); cell efficiency of 24% (SCARLET-2) to 30% (advanced technology); array voltage up to 500 V (SCARLET-2 is 100 V); and an array cost of less than $700/watt with high-efficiency cells and less than $500/watt with GaAs cells. Milestones include the following: by 4Q97, completion of qualification testing and delivery of SCARLET-2 arrays to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; by 3Q01, ground testing of SCARLET-3; and by 4Q01, readiness of system for spacecraft integration.

The program will conduct a flight test of a Russian Hall Effect Thruster (RHETT) system. RHETT technology goals include the following: specific impulse of 1,600 s, efficiency of 50%, power level of 1.5 kW into system, system mass less than 20 kg (without propellant and tank), and a lifetime greater than 5,000 hours. Technologies include low-cost, flexible-design power processing units (PPUs); thruster lifetime improvement concepts; and low-cost xenon feed system components. Milestones include the following: by 1Q97, delivery of flight-qualified RHETT II hardware to the Naval Research Laboratory; by 4Q97, launch of spacecraft with RHETT II and commencement of on-orbit tests; by 2Q98, delivery of prototypes of advanced PPU and feed systems; and by 4Q00, laboratory demonstration of a U.S.-developed Hall effect thruster based on the Russian design.

Cooled forebodies have been demonstrated in ground testing to withstand the aero-thermal loads of the hypersonic endoatmospheric flight regime. Aero-optic effects of a hypersonic flowfield on an externally helium-cooled forebody/window concept have been measured in ground testing under conditions duplicating the flight environment and have been consistent with analytical predictions. Strapdown seeker components have been demonstrated in ground tests, and a prototype seeker is planned for demonstration in ground tests in FY97. Assuming a fully funded program, an integrated kill vehicle will be available for ground test in FY99 with hit-to-kill flight test demonstrations completed by FY01. With current funding, a prototype strapdown infrared seeker and cooled window/forebody will be completed, and minimal development will continue on other critical components throughout the life of the program.