A Dual-Band Sensor System for Boost-Phase Hard-Body Targeting

"A central challenge in Boost-Phase Intercept of a hostile ballistic missile is the targeting of the missile body in the brilliant plume. We propose an IR sensor system that takes advantage of special characteristics of plume radiation to provide two bandsthat have very different relative sensitivity to the plume and body. We combine these bands with an algorithm that exploits this relationship to make the hard body of the missile stand out in the image of the high altitude plume. In Phase I we will conducttradeoffs among system parameters within current technology limits. We will set up design reference missions for kinetic and directed energy kill systems, and derive required sensor parameters. Output of Phase I will be a preliminary design for either adirect energy or a kinetic kill vehicle, with performance predictions, and a review of technology and development issues in detailed design, development and production of the sensor system. We will seek the goal of reducing sensor system cost to a smallfraction (<5%) of the kill system overall cost. This proposal presents analysis to illustrate the promise of our 2-band approach. Phase II would develop the sensor concept further and conduct risk reduction demonstrations. We expect that this project willpoint the way to an IR sensor that has uniqueadvantages in acquisition and tracking the vulnerable portions of a missile bodywhile still in the boost phase. Conventional approaches to t