Post Intercept Debris Predictions for EO/IR Scene Modeling

SciTec and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) propose a multi-scale simulation architecture for generating optical signatures from missile intercept debris clouds based on output from hydrocode tools developed at SNL while furthering optical data exploitation from the library of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (ABMD) intercept test. This will require developing data-driven relationships for matching critical debris properties between first principles simulation results and optical measurements. Averaged material properties from optical measurements will be approximated by exploiting the multi-sensor/multi-spectral measurements on ABMD intercept flights tests through an innovative optimization procedure that matches fast-running debris and radiation transport models with measured intensities. This approach will address the EO/IR scene modeling needs of ABMD pre-mission analysis, critical design considerations related to debris mitigation for Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) elements, and aims to extend confidence to optical hit and kill assessment algorithms to engagement conditions outside of those which will be tested during ABMD flight tests. Additionally, this approach will shed light on the existing shortcomings of both first principle intercept simulations and fast running phenomenology approaches.