“Left of Launch” Indications and Warning for Enhanced Battle Management

Critical to meeting the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) mission is the development of technologies that enable pre-launch early detection indicators for the missile defense “kill-web.” Nokomis has partnered with Redwire to integrate Nokomis’ SBIR developed Hiawatha RF Space Sensor (H-RFSS), an ultra-sensitive Radio Frequency (RF) sensor with Redwire’s advanced on orbit antenna technology and SabreSat Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) platform to develop a transformational “Left of Launch” detection technology.This proposal supports THE IRON DOME FOR AMERICA EXECUTIVE ORDER January 27, 2025(ii) Acceleration of the deployment of the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor layer. (v) Development and deployment of a custody layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. (vi) Development and deployment of capabilities to defeat missile attacks prior to launch and in the boost phase.This technology enhances MDA’s awareness of missiles before they are launched by providing detection of low-level unintended emissions from pre-launch activities that are not detectable by current space receivers. RF emission phenomena offer the opportunity to detect pre-launch activity from threat systems thereby offering an early indicator for hand-off to MDA targeting assets. By integrating a robust emissions detection and ID system into its Missile Defense System (MDS) architecture, the MDA can improve the accuracy and reliability of its threat identification and interception processes against evolving adversary capabilities such as the Oreshnik hypersonic missile used on November 21, 2024, against Ukraine. This approach not only improves the ability to detect threats but also strengthens the resilience and adaptability of the missile defense system, ensuring a robust defense against evolving missile threats.