Missions and Scenarios for a Multinational Early Warning Spaceborne System
- Paper number
IAC-05-B1.1.05
- Author
Mr. Didier Alary, EADS Astrium, France
- Year
2005
- Abstract
A spaceborne early warning system is made of sensors designed to detect a ballistic missile launch by the radiance of its propulsion during the boost phase. The raw data gathered by such a system contain spectral and radiation information on the missile plume, plus elements of localization of the successive plots. These raw data are processed to generate a new set of data related to missile identification, dynamics, launch point estimation, impact point prediction, trust index… The collected data may serve several missions after proper processing, such as: Passive defense: detect, localize, estimate the ballistic trajectory, predict the impact point to finally generate an alert or active defence , in order to cue a weapon system to destroy the missile or its components Proliferation control : detect, characterize to finally feed and enhance threat data bases Contribution to deterrence : detect, localize, estimate the launch point to identify the aggressor Counter force : detect, localize, estimate the launch area in order to cue a weapon system to destroy the launch system A spaceborne early warning system is not only a sensor in the ballistic missile defense (BMD) system, but also an extremely valuable tool for intelligence services, deterrence and population protection. This \"multi mission\" aspect might even be enlarged further considering that the spacecraft can host additional payloads requesting the same kind mission requirements, such as land or forest fire monitoring or optical laser data link relays. Cooperative development assessment: a spaceborne early warning system is, in essence, a multinational cooperative asset. The nature of the threat to be detected is in general a large scale, cross border effect weapon. Data exchanges and interoperability are generally part of the basic system requirements. Several nations may cooperate to develop such a system, even if their respective primary objectives are different in terms of priority missions to be served by this sensor. One nation may have as a priority the defense of projected forces on theaters abroad, another one the protection of territories and homeland, in an active or passive format, and a third one might only be interested in monitoring proliferation. All can share the same sensor, and data trunk. Each may have its own individual processing center and data bases. Data exchanges could be possible at various levels of processing, while respecting the policies of each nation. This paper deals with these aspects and concludes on the capability of European countries to develop and field such a system.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-B1.1.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.