Overview
ABIR is being designed to track enemy ballistic missile raids soon after launch with airborne sensors forward in the theater in order to enable early intercept attempts. MDA began exploring a similar concept of an operational unmanned aerial system (UAS) infrared missile detection system with the Airborne Infrared System (AIRS) in fiscal year 2002. In fiscal year 2009, MDA began assessing new platform and sensor alternatives and decided to conduct ABIR experiments and demonstration efforts to determine the usefulness of UASs to perform missile defense missions. In addition, MDA plans to have an operational ABIR program fielded by fiscal year 2019 as part of Phase III of the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for the defense of Europe and the United States.
Rather than developing a system from the ground up, MDA is using existing technology to demonstrate the usefulness of UAS infrared sensors to perform early
missile tracking. M
DA and the Air Force jointly conducted an analysis of alternatives to select the infrared sensor and decided on the
Multi-Spectral Target System-class sensor, an infrared sensor with built-in integration to UASs that was used in earlier risk-reduction activities for ABIR.
Program officials stated that MDA collaborated with the Air Force and determined that the MQ-9 Reaper (a medium-to-high altitude, long endurance UAS) best fit both MDA’s and the Air Force’s needs. While ABIR will use the Multi-Spectral Target System-class sensor and the MQ-9 Reaper, according to program officials, the operational system will be selected through industry competition. Thus, pr
ototypes are being developed so that they are not necessarily tied to a specific UAS or sensor platform to enhance future competition.
Fiscal Year 2010 Events
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The ABIR program demonstrated the ability of infrared sensors aboard Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to observe ballistic missiles in flight at long distances and improved sensor performance.
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The ABIR program completed alternatives analysis and selected Multi-Spectral Target System-class infrared sensor and MQ-9 Reaper ABIR experiments and demonstration efforts.
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The ABIR program partnered with Air Force, Navy, and combatant commanders to develop risk reduction tests and preliminary operational concept.
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The program participated in five ABIR tests demonstrating missile-tracking accuracy.
MDA initially planned to deliver six ABIR platforms by fiscal year 2015 and participate in Phase II of the PAA. However, MDA decided to delay fielding to fiscal year 2019 and participate in Phase III of the PAA to allow MDA more time to experiment and demonstrate the usefulness of forward-based UASs for early intercept missile tracking.
Challenges
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Achieving a three dimensional track of boosting missiles within a tactically significant timeframe and operationally realistic setting
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Tracking mass raid sizes
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Concerns about the planned capability of the Precision Tracking Space System’s (PTSS) have not been addressed
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Determining a concept of operations for ABIR, whether it operates as a surge role - where ABIR would persistently cover a threat area for a limited duration - or to maintain non-stop pre-determined orbits during periods of heightened tension, and thereby providing missile launch coverage.
MDA discovered there were sensor coverage gaps in ABIRs ability to acquire and track large ballistic missile raid sizes, intercept ballistic missiles earlier in its trajectory, assess intercept attempts in real-time, and launch additional interceptors if necessary. Currently, the sensor systems of the BMDS consist of radar sensors, such as Sea Based X-band Radar (SBX) and Army-Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2). ABIR is being designed to fill these sensor coverage gaps by tracking large missile raid sizes soon after launch to enable earlier intercepts.
Source: GAO Report (March 2011)