Army Press Release:
In times of continuing budgetary constraints, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, or USASMDC/ARSTRAT, is saving the taxpayers by not only designing low-cost targets, but also by designing low-cost launch vehicles.
Members of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Test Execution Support Division developed a transportable, mission-configurable, 25,000 pounds-capacity Transportable Target Launcher, or 25K TTL, to support Department of Defense operational testing of theater-class tactical ballistic missile targets.
“The 25K TTL is a rapidly deployable (C-17 and C-5 transportable), treaty-compliant rail launch platform for theater-class tactical ballistic missile targets,” said Bryon Manley, SMDC Technical Center Test Execution Support Division chief. “The 25K TTL is a cost effective, transportable launcher that can expand the number of available launch sites adding a more comprehensive selection of threat scenario geometries for tactical ballistic missile target testing on national ranges.”
SMDC developed two 25K TTLs, at a cost of approximately $3 million, that are rapidly deployable. They were designed, analyzed, built and tested using a modified commercial off-the-shelf semitrailer and hydraulic crane as a portable launch platform.
“Our division is about low cost so we design things based on commercially off-the-shelf available items so that they are cost effective,” said Stephanie Chrisley, SMDC general engineer.
Utilization of the TTL is a cost-effective means of presenting test scenarios in a threat representative construct due to its ability to operate at both unimproved and improved range sites. Additionally, the launcher is transportable by air or land, permitting use at all ranges. The missile launcher can begin operating within 15 minutes of setting up….
