Boost Phase KEW Lethality

Kinetic Energy Weapons (KEW) have evolved to the point of engaging and potentially destroying ballistic missiles during their active boost phase. The analytical codes and supporting data required to assess the effectiveness and subsequent damage associated with boost phase hit-to-kill weapons have not evolved at the same rate and essentially do not exist. There is a critical need to obtain data and build computer models to evaluate KEW induced damage during a missile boost phase. The primary objectives of this effort are to: 1) Develop and execute a plan for obtaining data for Kinetic Energy (KE) Boost-Phase Intercepts (BPI), and 2) Develop models to assess the effectiveness of kinetic energy weapon (KEW) engagements of full threat systems to aid KE-boost weapon design. Requirements to aid evaluation of effective KE-boost kill enhancement concepts will be produced as part of this effort. Data will be generated from tests, as needed, primarily using light-gas-gun test facilities. First-principles analysis using state-of-the-art hydrodynamics codes along with existing and new test results will aid development of fast-running algorithms that can be incorporated into systems level computer simulations. These algorithms, which will be products of this effort, will aid in the assessment of system effectiveness studies and to support Probability-of-Kill (Pk) analysis.