Narrowband Passive Bistatic RF for Ballistic Missiles Defense

Rapid, continuous, and comprehensive forward-based sensing of ballistic missiles is an increasingly important challenge. Wideband Passive Coherent Localization (wideband PCL), using single receivers and multiple sources of opportunity, has been proposed as a possible solution to this problem. Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI) of Woburn MA and its subcontractor Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems of Eagan MN, propose a different and potentially superior PCL approach based on multiple, small, and relatively inexpensive receiver and signal processing systems that exploit NARROWBAND PCL sources of opportunity. Compared to wideband PCL, narrowband PCL offers roughly three times the detection range and greatly enhanced clutter rejection using relatively small and inexpensive receiver-antenna packages. As a result, narrowband PCL processing offers covert, inexpensive, continuous, wide-area, all-weather, high-accuracy forward-based detection and tracking of missiles during boost and early midcourse phases; and, with handoff to and from other sensors, potential ability to track entire trajectories. Narrowband PCL processing introduces new technical challenges---specifically, the necessity of indirect inference of missile range and velocity---that the proposed work will address. Phase I will demonstrate the potential feasibility of a mobile narrowband tracking system by performing the following tasks: (1) develop narrowband PCL signal processing algorithms; (2) test these algorithms in simulated, reduced-complexity scenarios; (3) identify suitable COTS antenna equipment; (4) estimate the weight and volume of a system to demonstrate transportability; and (5) develop a detailed Phase II plan that include laboratory processing of raw RF data collected at a launch site, and a detailed layout of the equipment in each vehicle. The project team includes Dr. Ronald Mahler of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin will provide both technical and commercialization support in the application of PCL technologies.