HF Sensing using Travelling-Ionospheric Disturbance EvaluatioN Tri-wave form (TRIDENT)

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is tasked with developing and deploying a layered missile defense system to defend the US homeland, deployed forces, and our allies. To achieve this goal MDA requires robust methods for identifying targets as early as possible. The introduction of offensive Hypersonic Vehicles to the battlespace is changing this calculus as the window of time available for US systems to respond to any one threat varies. To ensure that MDA is able to engage these platforms effectively, new sensing solutions are required to lengthen the engagement window. In support of this mission, IERUS and Orion Space Solutions have teamed together to generate a High-Frequency (HF) Ionospheric sensing solution. The TRavelling-Ionospheric Disturbance EvaluatioN Tri-wave (TRIDENT) system has been developed to provide localized sensing of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs). This technology has the potential to enhance the accuracy of forecasting ionospheric impacts on systems. Of specific interest to MDA, these disturbances can be caused by movement through the ionosphere, and the IERUS team will demonstrate in this Phase II that the TIDs data captured by TRIDENT can be used. Approved for Public Release | 25-MDA-12052 (27 Mar 25)