(U) Conventional Ballistic Missile (CBM) with Common Aero-Vehicle (CAV)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Conventional Ballistic Missile (CBM) with Common Aero-Vehicle (CAV) supports the Space Force Application mission to conduct global strikes through and from space against terrestrial targets and airborne targets up to 300,000 feet.   The conventional ballistic missile is envisioned to support non-Single Integrated Operations Plan (SIOP) missions.  The CBMs will likely be based at the Eastern and Western Ranges.  This will prevent confusion with nuclear ICBMs and limit collateral damage from booster separation.  The CAV will be an aerodynamically designed re-entry vehicle with maneuvering capability for increased range and accuracy that will dispense submunitions.  The CAV will be able to hold multiple targets at risk including deeply buried, hard, and mobile targets.  Delivery of CAVs may also be conducted from the military space plane.  

Description: (U)
(U) The CAV concept is an aerodynamically designed re-entry vehicle (RV), with maneuvering capability for increased range and accuracy that would dispense submunitions.  A CAV would hold multiple targets at risk: deeply buried, hard, or mobile targets.  The vehicle could serve as a common form of delivery for CBM, MSP, or orbital systems.  CAV ICT focuses on concept development for ACTD in 2003-4 and pre-SPO activities.  The ICT proposed $700 thousand from ICBM RV Applications for two contractors to do system analysis.  CAV is one of 12 options being considered for HDBT defeat.  

(U) Payloads under consideration for the CAV include three 250 lb small smart bombs, six 90 lb powered LOCAAS (Low Cost Autonomous Attack System) munitions, a hard and deeply buried target (HDBT) penetrator, a deployable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Hunter/Killer package, an agent defeat payload, and other special weapon payloads.  

(U) Lockheed Martin and Boeing are currently conducting preliminary design work on CAVs.  A CAV ACTD from a CBM is planned for 2003 though currently no money has been identified for this program.

User Impact: (U)
(U)  Space offers global coverage, quick response, and reduced risk to our forces.  This concept would give the user, US Space Command, the capability to strike targets from space or through space by non-nuclear means.  The importance to the warfighter is that this weapon would provide the capability for prompt, on-demand precision strike, flexible strike for different types of targets such as hard and deeply buried targets and also mobile targets, and flexible effects to satisfy delay, deny, destroy deficiencies.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmable.
	(U) IOC: 10/2004 (1QFY2005).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Ballistic Missile Replacement, CAV for Military Spaceplane, CBM with MNNRV, Eastern Range, Military Space Plane, MM Guidance Replacement Prog, MM III Sustainment/Deactivation, MM Propulsion Replacement Prog, PK Sustainment/Deactivation, Western Range

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Non-Nuclear Strike

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) FORCE APPLICATION.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
13 April 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)