Miniature Kill Vehicle Dispense System

This program is supported by the Lockheed Martin MKV program office. The Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) missile interceptor system use large numbers of small Kill Vehicle (KV) interceptors launched using a single booster. The MKV interceptors are deployed from the carrier vehicle to intercept and destroy multiple objects in the midcourse phase of the attacking missile's trajectory. The MKV system provides a means to address countermeasures through multiple intercepts of all non-discriminated objects within a threat cluster. A critical aspect of the MKV system concept is how to carry and release the individual KVs from the carrier/launch vehicle. To avoid performance degradation or damage, the individual KVs must be dispensed on controlled velocity vectors without inducing significant pitch, roll and yaw motions into the KVs. Systima Technologies has completed the preliminary design and development of an advanced system for carrying and dispensing multiple KVs. The Phase II program will complete the design and development of a flight ready KV dispenser. This KV carriage and dispenser system will be designed to be compatible with the MKV system being developed by Lockheed Martin for the Missile Defense Agency.