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Space Weapon Technology
and Programs
The research on space weapons
was developed in coordination with the Secure
World Foundation.
Aegis
Ballistic Missile Defense
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is the sea-based portion of
the Ballistic Missile Defense system. It incorporates the Aegis
Weapon System, the Lightweight Exoatmospheric Projectile Intercept,
the Standard Missile-3, and the Navy Ballistic Missile systems.
It is part of the Sea-based Midcourse Defense System. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractors: Boeing,
Computer
Sciences Corporation, General
Dynamics, L-3
Communications, Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Honeywell,
Raytheon
Airborne
Laser
The Airborne Laser is intended to destroy hostile missiles right
as they are launched, before the warheads separate from the
missile. It consists of a chemical laser and beam director mounted
on a Boeing 747. The laser is intended to disable the missile
by hitting it long enough that the heat causes sufficient damage
to the missile’s body to stop its acceleration, causing
the warhead to fall short of its target. It also has anti-satellite
capabilities. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Analytical
Graphics, Inc., Honeywell
Alternative
Infrared Satellite System
The Alternative Infrared Satellite System program is being designed
as an alternative to the Space Based Infrared program.
It is supposedly easier to build but more capable. The
Alternative program is intended to provide missile warning and
missile defense for the US beginning in 2015. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: General
Dynamics
Arrow
Interceptor
The Arrow Interceptor is a “fragmentation warhead”
used to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Boeing
and Israel Aircraft Industries
Boeing
Orbital Express System
The Boeing Orbital Express System is another project aimed at
developing a fully autonomous (unmanned) satellite. Like the
XSS, its primary objective is to refuel and service satellites
on-orbit, and, also like the XSS, it has clear military applications.
(More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Boeing
Subcontractors: Ball
Aerospace, Honeywell,
Northrop
Grumman
Common Aero
Vehicle/Hypersonic Technology Vehicle
The Common Aero Vehicle was originally conceived as an unmanned
spacecraft that would travel at five times the speed of sound,
carrying 1,000 pounds of munitions or troops from the US to
anywhere in the world within two hours. In 2004,
the offensive strike part of the project was cancelled and the
Common Aero Vehicle was renamed Hypersonic Technology Vehicle.
However, Hypersonic Technology Vehicles will use the same transportation
technology, leaving plenty of room for offensive vehicles in
the future. In the President’s fiscal year 2008
budget request, $32.8 million was requested for the Hypersonic
Technology Vehicle. The first test of the vehicle is scheduled
for 2008-09. (More
information...)
Contractors: Aerojet,
Aerospace
Corporation, Alliant
Techsystems, Andrews
Space, Raytheon,
Schafer
Corporation
Common
Missile Warning System
This system was developed to warn tactical fighters against
infrared missile threats and cue countermeasures to take out
the missile. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: BAE
Counter-Man
Portable Air Defense Systems
The Counter-MANPADS program is an initiative launched in 2003
to install anti-missile systems on commercial airliners as a
countermeasure against MANPADS. MANPADS are shoulder-launched
missiles that are considered to be a particular threat to airplanes
and helicopters. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell once
warned that "no threat is more serious to aviation" than MANPADS,
which are easy to use and readily available on the black market.
A 2005 Rand study estimated it would cost $11 billion to protect
every US airliner from MANPADS. In addition, Aviation
Week reports, “The Bush Administration has spent more
that $121 million researching counter-MANPADS measures since
2003, but DHS has never committed to acquiring any specific
technology.” (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: BAE,
Northrop
Grumman
Defense
Support Program
The Defense Support Program is a satellite system that warns
the US military of missile launches. The 23 satellites in the
system use infrared detectors to sense heat from missile plumes,
in order to detect missile launches, space launches, and nuclear
detonations. Defense Support Program satellites have been the
spaceborne segment of NORAD's Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment
System since 1970, but they are to be replaced by the Space
Based Infrared System. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Aerojet, Aerospace
Corporation
Demonstration
of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology space vehicle
The technology developed here will allow spacecraft to rendezvous
with other spacecraft without human interaction.
As with the XSS-11 microsatellite, the capacity that enables
spacecraft to maneuver around others to service them can also
allow it to destroy them. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Orbital
Sciences Corporation
Escort
program
Escort satellites carry sensors and lightweight missiles to
defend distant satellites against an anti-satellite attack.
They can permanently or temporarily disable large satellites,
giving them the ability to carry out anti-satellite attacks
themselves. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: AeroAstro
Exoatmospheric
Kill Vehicle
The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle is the intercept component of
the Ground Based Interceptor, the weapon element of the Ground-based
Midcourse Defense system. It is designed to take out hostile
ballistic missile targets outside the atmosphere while the missiles
are in flight. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Raytheon
Subcontractor: Lockheed
Martin
Experimental
Spacecraft System-10 (XSS-10)
Precursor to the XSS-11.
Prime Contractor: Boeing
Subcontractors: Octant
Technologies, Science
Applications International Corporation
Experimental
Spacecraft System-11 (XSS-11)
The XSS-11 is a 100 kg microsatellite that is able to “meet”
with other space objects in orbit, and maneuver close to them
to inspect them or perform maintenance tasks. However, defense
officials and technology experts agree that the XSS-11 could
easily be used as an anti-satellite weapon: “The same
capacity built into XSS-11 that enables it to maneuver around
another satellite it is servicing can also allow the spacecraft
to disable or destroy adversary satellites, if desired.”
Theresa Hitchens of the Center for Defense Information in Washington
and Jeffrey Lewis of Harvard University’s Belfer Center
argue, “such a satellite could house a small kinetic-kill
vehicle designed to smash into a nearby enemy satellite,”
while an Air Force study “raised the possibility of borrowing
technology from the Army's Kinetic Energy Anti-Satellite, or
KE-ASAT, program for its own microsatellites.” Lewis
points out that the study's “single strongest recommendation”
was “the deployment, as rapidly as possible, of XSS-10-based
satellites to intercept, image and, if needed, take action against
a target satellite.” John Pike, director of
GlobalSecurity.org, points out that by building the XSS-11 “to
be relatively cheap and easy to launch, it also may be expendable
and replaceable in an anti-satellite role.” One
anonymous defense official agreed that the XSS-11 “doesn't
need any modifications to kill a satellite . . . It's capable
of doing all the missions that KE-ASAT is intended to do --
and then some. That's been proven in the flight test.”
(More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractors: Octant
Technologies, Science
Applications International Corporation
Force
Application and Launch from Continental United States (FALCON)
FALCON, a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/Air
Force project, originally intended to develop a reusable Hypersonic
Cruise Vehicle, a Common Aero Vehicle, and a Small Launch Vehicle,
a low-cost launch system. In 2004, however, FALCON became
Falcon, the Common Aero Vehicle became the Hypersonic Technology
Vehicle (without offensive capabilities), and in 2005 Lockheed
Martin received $11.7 million for the second phase of the Small
Launch Vehicle program. (More
information...)
Contractors: Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Aerojet,
Aerospace
Corporation, Alliant
Techsystems, Andrews
Space, SpaceX
Ground-based
Midcourse Defense system
Located in Fort Greeley, Alaska, with a sister-site at Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense
system is the heart of the US missile defense system.
It is designed to intercept long-range missiles headed for the
continental US. This system is theoretically dual-use, as it
will be capable of shooting down satellites – “a
task that is considerably easier than shooting down an intercontinental
ballistic missile because satellites travel in regular, predictable
orbits.” However, serious technical issues have
plagued the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. In tests,
the incerceptor rockets have failed to make it out of the launch
tube, and the kill vehicles (the component designed to take
out the incoming missile/warhead) have failed to separate from
their rockets. It also has anti-satellite
capabilities. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Boeing
Subcontractors: Alliant
Techsystems, Bechtel
Corporation, Computer
Sciences Corporation, Honeywell,
IBM,
L-3
Communications, Lockheed
Martin, Miltec
Corporation, Northrop
Grumman, Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Raytheon,
Schafer
Corporation, SI
International, University
of California
Hypersonic
Cruise Vehicle
The Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle is part of the FALCON weapons
system. It is intended to be a reusable, autonomous (unmanned)
aircraft capable of taking off from a conventional runway and
striking targets 9,000 nautical miles away in less than two
hours. It will be able to carry 12,000 pounds, including
Common Aero Vehicles/Hypersonic Technology Vehicles, cruise
missiles, or bombs. Development is to be complete by 2025.
(More
information...)
Contractors: Alliant
Techsystems, Andrews
Space, Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Hypersonic
Demonstrator Aircraft
Also known as HyFly, this is a hypersonic strike demonstrator
vehicle that is intended to help develop the technology hypersonic
missiles. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Boeing
Subcontractors: Aerojet,
Alliant
Techsystems
Hypersonic
High-Speed Strike Weapon
HyStrike is inteded to be a single hypersonic strike weapon
that will be launchable from air, surface, and subsurface platforms.
It will also be able to hit underground targets 12 meters deep,
fly at speeds of Mach 4 (4900 km/hour), and change direction
in flight by using a bending body joint. (More
information...)
Contractor: Alliant
Techsystems
Israeli
Short Range Missile Defense program
Israel's Ministry of Defense is developing a new terminal
missile defense interceptor for low-cost, short-range ballistic
missile threats. Israel and the US have agreed to jointly develop
a new Short Range Missile Defense (SRMD) capability that will
complement its existing Arrow and Patriot PAC-2 GEM+ systems,
one optimized via its design and cost to defend against rockets
with ranges of 70 - 200 km. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Raytheon,
Rafael
Armament Development Authority Ltd.
Kinetic Energy Interceptor
Kinetic Energy Interceptors are missiles which are launched
into space to take out enemy missiles by smashing into them,
rather than by exploding near them. Kinetic Energy Interceptors
also have potential applications as anti-satellite weapons,
because the same technology is necessary to destroy incoming
missiles and satellites. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Northrop
Grumman, Raytheon
Subcontractors: Aerojet,
Alliant
Techsystems, Analytical
Graphics, Inc., Ball
Aerospace, Booz
Allen Hamilton, Davidson
Technologies, Inc., Miltec
Corporation, Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Science
Applications International Corporation, Schafer
Corporation
Lightweight
Exoatmospheric Projectile Intercept program
The LEAP program is aimed at developing and integrating miniature
kinetic energy (hit-to-kill)
interceptors to be used in the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
system. The LEAP kill vehicles are intended to intercept enemy
missiles within a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km away, by honing
in on the missile and destroying it by direct impact. The kill
vehicles would also be able to reach low-altitude satellites
for an anti-satellite attack.
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractors: Computer
Sciences Corporation, General
Dynamics, Orbital
Sciences Corporation
Medium
Extended Air Defense System
The Medium Extended Air Defense System is intended to replace
the US’ aging anti-aircraft system; it is to provide coverage
against both aircraft and cruise missiles. It is a cooperative
effort between the US, Germany, and Italy. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Lockheed
Martin, Raytheon,
and Siemens
Subcontractor: Davidson
Technologies, Inc.
Miniature
Kill Vehicle
The Army wants multiple small kill vehicles to be housed within
a carrier vehicle and used against ballistic missiles in the
midcourse stage of flight. They are intended to weigh 2-10 kilograms
each, and are to be launched 12 to a rocket. Once launched,
the rocket’s vehicle carrier would use its own sensors
to distinguish warheads from decoys and to program the kill
vehicles to attack multiple targets. (More
information...)
Originally: Schafer
Corporation
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractor: Davidson
Technologies, Inc.
Mobile
Tactical High Energy Lasers
Mobile Tactical High Energy Lasers are intended to help develop
and test the first mobile Directed Energy weapon system capable
of detecting, tracking, engaging, and defeating rockets, cruise
missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial
vehicles. Funding was cut for this program in 2004. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Northrop
Grumman
Multiple
Kill Vehicle Payload System
This system will be attached to an interceptor so that it can
destroy the enemy’s reentry vehicle and any other countermeasures
it has on board. The kill vehicles will separate from the interceptor
to take out multiple targets. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractor: Aerojet
Nanosatellites/Miniature
Spacecraft
Microsatellites reduce manufacturing and launch costs, which
means greater access to space for the military.
Contractors: AeroAstro,
Rafael
Armament Development Authority Ltd., MicroSat
Systems, Inc., SpaceDev,
Surrey
Satellite Technology Limited
Near Field
Infrared Experiment (NFIRE)
NFIRE is composed of a satellite with an onboard sensor and
laser communication terminal, as well as two ground-based control
centres. It will also carry releasable kill vehicles.
Its sensor is designed to distinguish between a missile and
its plume. Controversy
has arisen over its kill vehicles. (More
information...)
Contractors: General
Dynamics
Operationally
Responsive Spacelift
The Air Force began the Operationally Responsive Spacelift initiative
in 2003. The goal of the program is to develop reusable rockets
that could be launched at a low cost on short notice. Based
on studies, the Air Force decided that the best way to achieve
this capability is by developing a family of modular, hybrid
launch vehicles. A hybrid vehicle consists of a reusable first
stage with an expendable upper stage stack. The name given to
this next-generation family of hybrid vehicles is Affordable
REsponsive Spacelift (ARES). The system could be in place by
2014. (More
information...)
Contractors: Aerospace
Corporation, Andrews
Space
Orbital
Boost Vehicle
The Orbital Boost Vehicle is used in the Ground-based Midcourse
Defense segment of the US Ballistic Missile Defense program.
It is designed to intercept and destroy long-range enemy missiles
while they are in flight (as opposed to Kinetic Energy Interceptors,
which are intended to intercept and destroy enemy missiles just
after they are launched). (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Orbital
Sciences Corporation
Patriot
Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile
The PAC-3 is the anti-ballistic missile of choice for the US
Ballistic Missile Defense system. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractors: Boeing,
Davidson
Technologies, Inc., Mitsubishi,
Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Raytheon
Payload
Launch Vehicle
The Payload Launch Vehicle was part of the Ground-based Midcourse
Defense system. It was the booster that flew Raytheon Exo-atmospheric
Kill Vehicle. During its last test in December 2002, the kill
vehicle failed to separate from the launch vehicle. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Boeing
Subontractor: Lockheed
Martin
Sea-based
Midcourse Defense system
Formerly the Navy Theater Wide system, the Sea-based Midcourse
Defense system is composed of ship-based missile defense systems
intended to intercept incoming missiles above the atmosphere.
It incorporates the Standard Missile-3, Aegis Ballistic Missile
Defense system, and the Lightweight Exoatmospheric Projectile
Intercept program. It also has anti-satellite
capabilities. (More
information...)
Contractors: Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Raytheon
Sea-Based
X-Band Radar
The Sea-Based X-Band Radar is a sensor that track targets for
the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Raytheon
Small Launch
Vehicle
The Small Launch Vehicle is part of the FALCON weapons system.
The goal of the program is to develop an affordable space lift
capability that can quickly launch a small satellites and Common
Aero Vehicles/Hypersonic Technology Vehicles into orbit. (More
information...)
Contractors: Andrews
Space, Lockheed
Martin, Microcosm,
Inc., Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Schafer
Corporation, SpaceX
Space-Based
Infrared System
The system consists of a constellation of satellites capable
of tracking ballistic missiles throughout their course. It is
designed to operate worldwide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Aerospace
Corporation, Davidson
Technologies, Inc., Honeywell,
Raytheon
Space
Based Laser Integrated Flight Experiment
The Space Based Laser Integrated Flight Experiment was intended
to be a single satellite carrying a laser payload, a beam director,
and related beam control systems. The program was cancelled
in 2002. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Space Based
Surveillance System
The Space Based Surveillance System detects and tracks space
objects such as satellites and debris. The Department of Defense
intends to use its data to support military operations. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Aerospace
Corporation, Boeing,
Ball
Aerospace
Space Tracking
and Surveillance System
This system will be able to detect and track ballistic missiles
as well as potential ground-based kinetic energy anti-satellite
weapons. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Aerospace
Corporation, Analytical
Graphics, Inc., General
Dynamics, Raytheon
Standard
Missile-3
The Standard Missile-3 is a ballistic missile that destroys
incoming ballistic missiles outside the earth’s atomosphere.
It is an integral component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
System. (More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Boeing,
Raytheon
Subcontractor: Aerojet,
Alliant
Techsystems, Honeywell,
L-3
Communications, Mitsubishi
Submarine-Launched
Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile System
This system is designed to deliver a conventional missile from
a submarine to targets more than 1100 miles away in 10-15 minutes.
(More
information...)
Prime Contractors: Alliant
Techsystems, Lockheed
Martin
Terminal
High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
THAAD is a ground-based system that provides rapidly deployable
missile defense components – missiles, launchers, radars,
fire control – that can take out incoming missiles at
ranges beyond the immediate defended area. This allows the system
to destroy enemy targets at various stages of their flight.
THAAD is also integrated with the Aegis system, and uses PAC-3
missiles. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Lockheed
Martin
Subcontractors: Aerojet,
Analytical
Graphics, Inc., Boeing,
Davidson
Technologies, Inc., Orbital
Sciences Corporation, Raytheon
Track Illuminator
Laser
The Track Illuminator Laser is designed to record information
about incoming ballistic missiles right when they are launched,
by projecting rapid, powerful pulses of light towards the missile.
The light is reflected back to a camera, data from which is
used to obtain information about the threat’s speed and
elevation. It will be used in the Airborne Laser program. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Boeing,
Lockheed
Martin, Northrop
Grumman
Subcontractors: Raytheon,
Schafer
Corporation
Upgraded
Early Warning Radar
Upgraded Early Warning Radar consists of updated versions of
early warning radar systems used by the US. The upgrades
allow the radar to search for different types of missiles, distinguish
hostile objects such as warheads from other objects, and provide
this data to other NMD elements using improved communications
systems. (More
information...)
Prime Contractor: Raytheon
Vertical
Launching System
The Vertical Launching System is a type of missile-firing system
used aboard submarines and ships.
Contractors: BAE,
L-3
Communications, Lockheed
Martin, Mitsubishi,
Raytheon
This research on space
weapons systems was developed by Ray Acheson of Reaching
Critical Will
in coordination with the Secure
World Foundation.
777 UN Plaza - 6th Floor - New York, NY - 10017 - Ph: 212.682.1265 - Fax: 212.286.8211 - info@reachingcriticalwill.org
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