Patriot Missile Defeats Multiple ThreatsThe kinetic hit-to-kill version of the Patriot missile system, the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), has successfully intercepted and destroyed a tactical ballistic missile and a low-altitude cruise missile simultaneously in a test. Two PAC-3 missiles were ripple fired at an older Patriot missile configured to simulate a tactical ballistic missile, while a second launch featured a single PAC-3 successfully intercepting a low-flying MQM-107D cruise missile target. Both targets were destroyed. This test, which occurred at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, examined the performance of an advanced master frequency generator, a multiband radio frequency datalink and a simplified inertial measurement unit.
NASA Mulls Space Exploration OptionsNASA has launched a study to define system requirements and design architectures for its Project Constellation Moon-to-Mars program. The study will define the elements for the program such as crew transport launch systems, long duration habitation, planetary surface resources for propulsion systems, navigation and communication links. Led by the Raytheon Company
(www.raytheon.com/), the report team will consider spiral development upgrades to move the project from low earth orbit to extended duration exploration of the moon and human exploration of Mars.
Exercise Improves Multiagency CooperationOfficials at U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) are pleased with the results from Determined Promise 2004, an exercise designed to test the command’s ability to respond to multiple, simultaneous homeland defense and federal relief efforts. The exercise, which took place this summer, involved the U.S. Defense Department and more than 60 agencies, including local first responders and state and federal emergency services. Determined Promise 2004 was combined with the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD’s) Amalgam Virgo 2004, a bi-national, multiagency air security exercise. Participants operated in scenarios that featured the release of sarin and mustard gases, tunnel and bridge explosions, and the crash of a truck carrying chlorine. Additional targets included unmanned vehicles that were launched from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico and multiple airliners with terrorists on board headed for Portland, Oregon, and Ottawa, Canada. Each exercise scenario was built on strong intelligence to test the synchronization and information sharing from the local to national levels. The exercise was the fifth semiannual training session for NORAD and NORTHCOM since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Free Federal Contract InformationThe U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is opening access to federal contract information to the public beginning October 1 under the new Federal Procurement Data System–Next Generation (FPDS-NG) program. Private citizens, small and large businesses, nonprofit organizations, congressmen and federal agency personnel will share access to standard reports, including federal procurement reports and socioeconomic reports that show which agencies have awarded contracts to small, minority-owned businesses and small veteran-owned businesses. For organizations that require raw contract data, the GSA will offer direct access to the entire FPDS-NG database through a Web service for a fee of approximately $2,500. The administration’s new federal contract database will allow agencies to report information immediately and make end-of-year reports available several months earlier than in past years. The fiscal year 2004 end-of-year report is scheduled to be available in December.
Aiming a Network-Centric MissileA standoff land attack missile expanded response (SLAM-ER) missile received moving-target data directly from a nearby aircraft in a recent captive-carry test. While borne by an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, the SLAM-ER received real-time data via Link-16 messages from an orbiting joint surveillance target attack radar system (JointSTARS) aircraft through the F/A-18. Using the data, the missile trained its seeker on the moving target and gauged its velocity. Without firing the missile, the Hornet then employed stop-motion aimpoint update technology to designate the impact point. The test, which simulated attacking and destroying a truck traveling between 40 and 50 miles per hour in traffic, was conducted by the Boeing Company’s (
www.boeing.com) Integrated Defense Systems division.
F-35 Electronic Warfare The electronics suite for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been delivered for incorporation into the aircraft’s development and production phase. The suite will provide pilots with enhanced situational awareness and self-protection through threat identification, monitoring, analysis and countermeasures capabilities. The electronic warfare (EW) system, which includes radar warning, electronic support measures, embedded low observable apertures and countermeasures, will now be integrated into the F-35 airframe. The EW suite is manufactured by BAE Systems (
www.baesystems.com)
Further Delays for Chemical Agent Destruction
According to the U.S. Defense Department’s Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) submitted to Congress in June, the chemical demilitarization program schedule is being pushed back again. Operations at the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (CDF) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, expected to begin in July, have been rescheduled for February 2005. The Pine Bluff facility has approximately 12.5 percent of the nation’s chemical stockpile, including nerve agents used in rockets and mines, and mustard agents in bulk containers. Completion of operations at the Aberdeen CDF located in Aberdeen, Maryland, which holds bulk mustard agents, will be pushed back 10 months from July 2005 to May 2006. The 100 percent agent destruction goal at the Newport CDF has been moved back 16 months from January 2006 to May 2007. Located in Newport, Indiana, the facility holds the nerve agent VX. Finally, construction of the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant has been rescheduled to start eight months later than expected in September 2005. While delays continue, the report did not cite a change in cost since the December 2003 report.
Nuclear Power Made PortableThree national laboratories are designing a self-contained, tamper-resistant nuclear reactor for use by developing countries in need of a minimal amount of power. The small, sealed, transportable, autonomous reactor (SSTAR) is intended to provide cost-effective electricity, heat and freshwater or possibly produce hydrogen as an alternative fuel for cars. Once activated the reactor can supply enough energy to last 30 years. The SSTAR, approximately 15 meters tall and 3 meters wide and weighing no more than 500 tons, will be transportable by ship or truck to its destination. Nations that receive the reactor will not have to store or dispose of the nuclear materials; the reactor core will be removed and returned to a recycling center for disposal. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, the lead laboratory for the project, is researching materials and coolants for the reactor and how they can be deployed. Argonne and Los Alamos national laboratories will design the reactor and provide expertise on coolant and fuel technologies, respectively. Researchers plan to test a prototype reactor in 2015.
