Modular Adaptive Low-cost Test System (MALTS)

Systems & Processes Engineering Corporation (SPEC) proposes the low-risk adaptation of existing flight-proven MDA Targets & Countermeasures (TC) subsystems to meet the requirements of this topic. In an increasingly tight budgetary environment, the frequent calibration testing needed by new, modified and operational sensors must be accomplished in a much more cost and schedule efficient manner. SPEC’s Modular Adaptive Low-cost Test System (MALTS) concept is a much simplified lower-cost derivative of an equivalent system developed and flown under the MDA/LMCO BMDS Targets & Countermeasures Prime Contract (TCPC). SPEC and teammate ITT Industries are very familiar with the requirements for well characterized test objects, as a result of being a current provider of MDA target systems and with personnel long involved in ballistic missile penaids and SDIO targets, going back to the mid-1960’s on the Minuteman-II Penaids Program(s) and continuing on every US ICBM reentry system since then. The baseline MALTS concept, fully compliant with topic requirements, consists of a programmable pneumatic ejector and a spherical inflatable test object. Both have been flown successfully and are suitable for launch on sounding rockets, ICBMs, space launch vehicles or from satellites. Recurring unit flight test cost will be well under the $250K goal.