(U) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Boost Phase Intercept (BPI)

(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 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) project covers two tasks: Task 1: Cooperative UAV-based BPI project with Israel, and Task 2: Development of a US UAV-based BPI concept.  

Description: (U)
(U) The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) project covers two tasks: Task 1: Cooperative UAV-based BPI project with Israel, and Task 2: Development of a US UAV-based BPI concept.  Task 1 is a cooperative U.S./Government of Israel (GOI) BPI program which involves future development and refinement (risk mitigation) of the Israeli Boost Phase Intercept System (IBIS) concept which is planned to destroy tactical ballistic missiles in the boost phases of flight, before engine cutoff, preferably while over enemy territory.  This project is based on the use of UAVs armed with on-board interceptors and sensors.  The first tasks of this two-part project will provide risk mitigation in the development of the GOI's UAV BPI.  Task 2 of this effort develops a U.S. UAV-based BPI system concept.  It will develop the system requirements, to include: kinetic energy interceptors, UAVs, search and track sensors, Battle Management/Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (BMC4I) and the concept of operations (CONOPS) based on readily available U.S. technologies.  

(U) Along with attack operations, the BPI concept is a means of destroying hostile ballistic missiles in enemy territory. UAVs armed with interceptors show significant near term promise. Previous cooperative investigations of the UAV-based BPI concept and a recent Air Force Airborne Laser (ABL) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) study concluded that such a BPI system could be very cost effective and complementary to terminal missile defense systems.

(U) This program is a "hedge" for the ABL program. The program will conduct cooperative activities in the U.S. and Israel to mitigate risk of developing UAV-based BPI systems. The GOI will take the lead on risk mitigation of the interceptor while the U.S. will lead for the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor activities in other system elements, such as BMC4I and system integration will be shared. The US and GOI will share costs. Task 1 is being done under a firm fixed price contract with Israeli industry. Task 2 is being accomplished by BMDO Tri-Service Integrated Product Teams (IPT) with additional support provided by industry.

(U) A project continuation decision will be made in FY 1998.

User Impact: (U)
(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) Decision Point: 01/1998 (2QFY1998).
		(U)  This project is currently only a concept demonstration.  The program may transition to a development program later.  This IOC date is for demonstration purposes only to show that the project is currently ongoing.
	(U) IOC: 01/2005 (2QFY2005).
		(U)  The IOC date is an approximate date to show that the UAVBPI is in the programmed state.  The dates will be updated as they are determined.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) None.

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Ground-Based Missile Defense, JTMDE

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) SPACE CONTROL: NMD/ COUNTERSPACE.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) BMDO.

Date of Information: (U)
21 November 1997

(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).)