The Turbulence-Enhanced Monocular Passive Rangefinding (TEMPR) System for Improved Boost-Phase Ballistic Missile Tracking

Argos Intelligence, LLC proposes to continue its development of the Turbulence-Enhanced Monocular Passive Rangefinding (TEMPR) System, an innovative and robust remote passive rangefinding technology for improved boost-phase ballistic missile tracking. TEMPR is a cost-effective solution that is designed to leverage existing sensors in order to support the Misile Defense Agency''s (MDA) goal of achieving a reliable early-intercept capability. TEMPR will improve boost-phase ballistic missile tracking by: (1) providing accurate range estimates at ranges that are physically inaccessible to existing technologies, and (2) correcting angle measurements that are corrupted by atmospheric refraction and turbulence. Consequently, TEMPR will significantly improve the capabilities of existing airborne infrared surveillance assets for fire control and weapon support in Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) applications. In the Phase I, Argos Intelligence developed the TEMPR models and processing algorithms and demonstrated the feasibility of the TEMPR System concept for representative scenarios and atmospheric profiles using simulated data. In the Phase II, Argos Intelligence proposes to mature and validate the TEMPR models and algorithms using real data obtained from the Missile Defense Data Center and Raytheon Corporation. In addition, Argos Intelligence proposes to perform a ground-based experiment for verification and validation of the TEMPR rangefinding capability.