On Target

An internal U.S. office of secretary of defense memorandum has created the director, space and intelligence capabilities, organization. The organization reports directly to the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics (USD (AT&L)) and will “perform and be accountable for all acquisition oversight and related matters concerning DoD Space and Intelligence programs,” stated a June 5, 2008 memorandum. The director of the new organization will lead the space and intelligence overarching integrated product team (OIPT), replacing existing command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and space OIPT structures. The new director will also be the primary advisory advisor to the USD (AT&L) on all issues associated with end-to-end space and intelligence infrastructure. Joshua Hartman is the office’s acting director. Source: OSD Public Affairs

ATK Realigns to Meet Future Opportunities

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced that its Launch Systems and Space Systems groups are combining into a single business unit to prepare for future growth in space-related markets, next-generation missile defense, and prompt global strike missions. The new organization is a natural alignment of the company’s space-related businesses that will deliver increased operating efficiencies, while creating a broader customer base for ATK’s technology portfolio. Carl Marchetto, the current president, Space Systems group, will lead the new organization, which will retain the Space Systems name. Ron Dittemore, who has served as president, Launch Systems group, will become the company’s senior vice president, strategic partnerships, reporting directly to chairman and CEO Dan Murphy.

Bryce Hallowell: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Technology Enablers Boost THAAD’s Successes

The THAAD industry team led by prime contractor and integrator Lockheed Martin has delivered myriad enabling technologies to help MDA achieve the program’s string of successes.

BAE Systems’ Electronic and Integrated Solutions seeker provides infrared imagery of the warhead to the missile computer to guide the interceptor to its target. In addition to this challenging, initial daylight engagement, “BAE Systems has seen five previous successful THAAD intercepts. BAE Systems also saw two successful intercepts during the early demonstration phase of the program back in June and August of 1999,” Karen Spiller, manager, media relations, BAE Systems, told MS&MF.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. company, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne developed the Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) for the THAAD Interceptor. “DACS is a high-precision, quick-reaction propulsion system that positions THAAD to intercept an incoming ballistic missile. The Lockheed Martin THAAD provides our warfighters, friends and allies around the world the premiere solution for endo- and exoatmosphere anti-ballistic missiles defense. As part of the THAAD systems approach, the THAAD DACS provides a highly reliable, storable propellant propulsion system. This system has more performance (higher delta velocity capability, higher acceleration) than the previous THAAD DACS and has been in flight testing since November 2005,” Tom McGrath, Lockheed Martin vice president, THAAD, told MSMF.

Karen Spiller: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marcello Bruni: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Carri Karuhn: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Third Generation Reusable Boost (3GRB) Program Proposal

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Propulsion Directorate, AFRL/ RZ-West, Edwards AFB, Calif., is soliciting unclassified technical and management oral proposals and written price proposals to develop 3GRB vision engine which uses novel technologies or cycles and traces to the integrated high payoff rocket propulsion technology goals.

Development of the concept shall include plans for assessing goal achievement and prioritizing risks of achieving the goals. Programmatic planning should be accomplished to ensure best execution of analysis, testing, demonstrating and validation of proposed technologies.

More details may be provided from primary point of contact.:
Katy Doss, Contract Specialist, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

New Sounding Rocket Program Contract

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) was awarded a Sounding Rocket Program Three (SRP-3) contract with potential value of $250 million from the U.S. Air Force to provide launch vehicles and engineering and integration services for intercept systems and atmospheric sounding rocket experiments. These systems help ensure readiness to mitigate missile threats against the United States, its deployed forces and allies.

The SRP-3 is a seven-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity sounding rocket contract, that builds on two previous IDIQ efforts (SRP-1 & -2). The Sounding Rocket Program provides low-cost sub-orbital ballistic launches that support experiments, payloads, and targets for the Air Force, other U.S. Department of Defense agencies and NASA using existing motor assets. “ATK has provided government-supplied and commercial motors for targets used in missile defense testing and sounding rockets for research for over five decades. ATK produces the world’s largest line-up of solid rocket motors, including Castro IV Castro 120, and Orion motors along with manufacturing the M55A1, M57, SR-118, and SR-120 used in prior sounding rocket programs,” said a statement provided to MSMF by George Torres, vice president, communications, ATK Space Systems.

George Torres: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On-Orbit Checkout of SBIRS HEO-2 Payload Completed

A joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team has successfully completed on-orbit checkout of the second Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-2) payload in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation. SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

The successful deployment and checkout of the nation’s second of a new generation of SBIRS sensors demonstrated that its performance meets or exceeds specifications. Equipped with a sophisticated scanning sensor, the HEO-2 payload joins the first HEO payload, which continues to perform with outstanding results as it is readied to begin on-orbit operations for the user later this year. In addition to detecting ballistic missile launches from northern polar regions, HEO payloads also have improved sensitivity needed to detect dim theater missiles and can be tasked to scan other areas of military interest. The HEO sensor provides an unprecedented infrared view of the battlefield that represents the first steps in an evolving battlespace awareness capability while also providing real-time data on missiles, aircraft and other events.

Steve Tatum: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hellfire Evolves for Dynamic Battlefield

In total, more than 22,000 Hellfire II missiles have been delivered to the U.S. Armed Forces and the armed forces of 13 other nations. All four variants of the semi-active laser-guided Hellfire II (K, M, N, KA), as well as the millimeter-wave-radar-guided Longbow Hellfire (L), have been used by U.S. and U.K. forces in the global war on terrorism. More than 7,200 rounds have been expended in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile has been evolved for employment on the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper.

“We anticipate a contract this year for Hellfire Buy 14, which calls for approximately 3,000 rounds initially in 2008, and has options for additional rounds that would extend production through 2013,” a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told MSMF.

Lockheed Martin has developed four warhead variants that have evolved in response to unique target sets in GWOT: the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) missile, or AGM-114K, which defeats all known and projected armored threats; (2) the AGM-114M blast fragmentation missile, which is effective against primary target sets such as boats, buildings, bunkers and light-armored vehicles; (3) the metal augmented charge missile, or AGM-114N, which defeats enclosures, caves and enemy personnel housed therein; and (4) the recently introduced augmented HEAT warhead, or AGM-114KA, which adds blast fragmentation to the HEAT warhead’s anti-tank capability, providing precision strike against soft targets in the open.

“Lockheed Martin is currently developing the DAGR guidance kit to add precision strike capability to 2.75- inch rockets. Fired interchangeably with Hellfire from the M299 and other launchers, DAGR will provide a low-cost precision-strike alternative for targets that do not require Hellfire’s larger warhead,” said the company spokesperson.

Craig Vanbebber: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff