Down Range

BAE Systems’ new SRAM products include a 16-megabit monolithic and 32-, 64-, and 80-megabit multi-chip modules. “The new 16 MB (Mega-Bit is a million bits) SRAMs will be used for all types of satellite systems including commercial, DoD, civil, and science missions. The 16 MB chips can be stacked up to five high, creating an 80 MB memory device where the previous max for the same physical footprint was only 20 MB. Programmers always want more operating memory as the processor speed and performance continues to climb,” pointed out Karen Spiller, manager, media relations, BAE Systems Electronics & Integrated Solutions. Prototype and flight units are available.

The 16-megabit SRAM development is part of a multi-phase research and development contract. Development of the devices was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. BAE Systems introduced its first radiation-hardened chip in 1983. The company’s newest 16-megabit SRAM has 256 times more memory than its first. The devices withstand total ionizing doses of 1Mrad (Si), are immune to single-eventinduced latch-up, and are characterized over a temperature range of minus 55 C (-67 F) to plus 125 C.

The SRAMs are Qualified Manufacturers List Q and V compliant and will be available via a Defense Supply Center Columbus standard microcircuit drawing later this year. “A classified contract will be the first application of these new parts. They are being used on a BAE Systems RAD750 single board computer,” concluded Spiller.

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

First Test of SM-6

The U.S. Navy successfully conducted the first test of the Standard Missile (SM)-6 extended range anti-air warfare missile produced by Raytheon Company. SM-6 is being developed by Raytheon to meet the Navy’s requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare missile.

Expected to deploy in 2011, it provides capability against fixed and rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles and delivers a transformational overthe- horizon counter to the ever-evolving cruise missile threat. Employing the SM-2 Block IVA airframe and the newly developed active sensor, SM-6 will also fulfill the Navy’s sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense requirement.

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

ABL Progress Cited

The Boeing Company, industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency achieved another significant milestone for the Airborne Laser (ABL) missile defense program by completing the first laser activation testing on the ground at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Testing the laser with its chemical fuel will be completed in the coming weeks.

All major components of the weapon system, including the battle management system, laser components, and beam control/fire control system, were installed earlier. Laser activation testing is a methodical process to ensure ABL’s highenergy chemical laser has been properly integrated aboard the aircraft and is ready to produce enough power to destroy a ballistic missile. When the activation tests are complete, ground firings of the laser will occur, followed by flight tests of the entire ABL weapon system. The industry team has committed to the government to achieve the first laser ground firing by October 31, 2008, according to a Boeing statement provided to MS&MF.

“Flight tests of the entire ABL weapon system are scheduled to begin in early 2009. The test phase will culminate in an airborne intercept test against a ballistic missile in the summer of 2009,” noted the statement.

The U.S. Navy successfully conducted the first test of the Standard Missile (SM)-6 extended range anti-air warfare missile produced by Raytheon Company. SM-6 is being developed by Raytheon to meet the Navy’s requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare missile.

Expected to deploy in 2011, it provides capability against fixed and rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles and delivers a transformational overthe- horizon counter to the ever-evolving cruise missile threat. Employing the SM-2 Block IVA airframe and the newly developed active sensor, SM-6 will also fulfill the Navy’s sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense requirement.

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

First Test of SM-6

The ABL aircraft consists of a modified Boeing 747-400F whose back half holds the high-energy laser, designed and built by Northrop Grumman. The aircraft’s front half contains the beam control/fire control system, developed by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, provided by Boeing. Boeing is the prime contractor for ABL, which will provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight.

ABL’s speed, precision and lethality also have potential for other missions, including destroying air-to-air, cruise and surfaceto- air missiles. “Destruction of threat missiles in the boost phase is vital to a layered missile defense system, and ABL will provide a capability that is effective against all classes of ballistic missiles in the boost phase. In the past four years, the ABL program has made tremendous progress, achieving its milestones and staying on schedule,” concluded the statement.

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

Thermal Emission Management Systems for Space Use

Air Force Research Laboratory engineers have successfully integrated two existing technologies to create a thermal emission management system suitable for space use. Achieving operationally responsive space capabilities requires versatile satellites that can adapt as needed to accomplish multiple missions. An integral part of such adaptable satellites is a thermal control system enabling real-time, on-orbit temperature control of the spacecraft.

In maintaining appropriate spacecraft temperature, the system ensures proper functioning of onboard equipment. AFRL’s newly developed thermal emission management system is particularly well-suited for space deployment, since it requires very little power, is compact, and has minimal data storage requirements.

Active thermal management devices generally rely on heaters and mechanical refrigerators to control spacecraft temperature. While these active systems can achieve real-time temperature changes to protect spacecraft from extreme environments, they unfortunately require power supplies and are complex and heavy. Conversely, AFRL’s new technology not only requires little operating power, but weighs considerably less than stateof- the-art active control systems. The integrated device also offers the advantage of on-demand switching between passive and active thermal control.

In creating the efficient new thermal control capability, AFRL engineers paired two technologies developed under separate Small Business Innovation Research contracts. Specifically, the new system combines the functionality of a Sensortek, Inc., electrostatic radiator, or ESR, device with a heat-flux-based emissivity measuring method developed by Advanced Thermal and Environmental Concepts, Inc. After merging the two technologies, AFRL engineers mounted the resultant device inside a large vacuum chamber in order to test it in a simulated space environment. Upon obtaining a steady-state temperature, the test team supplied voltage to one side of the ESR structure, causing the membrane to draw down into contact with the ESR structure’s rigid surface. The embedded heat flux sensor demonstrated a very fast response time, so that the engineers were able to monitor the hybrid device’s emissivity throughout the temperature change. The results acquired from the ESR structure reflected significant differences in emissivity values—such large differences are a requirement for systems designed to facilitate a wide range of active thermal control.

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Miniature Solid Propellant Technology Advancement

Aerojet completed a successful test firing of a miniature solid propellant divert and attitude control system (DACS) for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This test was an important milestone in Aerojet’s development of a solid propellant DACS for Missile Defense applications. Initial test results indicate the system successfully met all objectives.

Aerojet’s miniature DACS technology is applicable to missile defense interceptors with multiple kill vehicles on a single payload. The inherent safety and insensitive munitions characteristics of Aerojet’s solid propellant technology are attractive for mobile and sea-based interceptor deployments.

Aerojet is developing this unique technology on a contract through the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command for the MDA.

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

MKV-L Update

Lockheed Martin announced a key milestone for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) payload by successfully demonstrating engagement management algorithms in a software test bed environment in Huntsville, Ala.

During an engagement with the enemy, the MKV-L carrier vehicle with its cargo of kill vehicles is designed to maneuver into the threat complex to intercept the targets. With tracking data from the Ballistic Missile Defense System and its own seeker, the carrier vehicle dispenses and guides the kill vehicles to destroy targets in the complex. The engagement management algorithms will perform tracking and discrimination, guidance and control, and battle management functions.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor for the Multiple Kill Vehicle-L payload system. ♦

* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff