Location
Holiday Inn, Manatee Rooms A & B
Start Date
25-4-1991 1:00 PM
End Date
25-4-1991 4:00 PM
Description
The SBL system concept definition has gone through five phases. The Phase I study was from early 1982 to early 1984 , the Phase II study was from late 1984 to early 1986 , the Phase III study was from mid 1986 to early 1987 , the Phase IV concept study was from late 1987 to early 1989, and a Special Study was performed from mid 1989 to 1990. Phase I included using a single module deuterium fluoride laser. The missions in this phase included Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), anti-aircraft , anti-satellite, as well as negating high value ground targets. This study also examined the Command, Communication, and Control (C ) . With the advent of the Strategic Defense Initiative, Phase II primarily concentrated on the boost and post boost portion of the BMD mission for the SBL. The hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser was chosen as the baseline with a single module vs phased array configuration as trades to be studied. Phase III switched its emphasis from a far term HF device to a nearer term HF laser. The contractors also defined and assessed growth options for the HF and other devices, such as the Free Electron Laser and the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser, for increased performance. In Phase IV, the nearer term HF laser in a single module was chosen as the baseline for the SBL. The system was then optimized to perform the BMD mission against a formalized threat identified by SDI. The Special Study emphasized the survivability concerns for the platform and the merit of optimizing the SBL system through cost engineering. The following studies studies were assessing the impact including the midcourse mission of BMD as a potential role for the SBL.
Paper Session III-C - History of the Space Based Laser (SBL) Concept Definition
Holiday Inn, Manatee Rooms A & B
The SBL system concept definition has gone through five phases. The Phase I study was from early 1982 to early 1984 , the Phase II study was from late 1984 to early 1986 , the Phase III study was from mid 1986 to early 1987 , the Phase IV concept study was from late 1987 to early 1989, and a Special Study was performed from mid 1989 to 1990. Phase I included using a single module deuterium fluoride laser. The missions in this phase included Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), anti-aircraft , anti-satellite, as well as negating high value ground targets. This study also examined the Command, Communication, and Control (C ) . With the advent of the Strategic Defense Initiative, Phase II primarily concentrated on the boost and post boost portion of the BMD mission for the SBL. The hydrogen fluoride (HF) laser was chosen as the baseline with a single module vs phased array configuration as trades to be studied. Phase III switched its emphasis from a far term HF device to a nearer term HF laser. The contractors also defined and assessed growth options for the HF and other devices, such as the Free Electron Laser and the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser, for increased performance. In Phase IV, the nearer term HF laser in a single module was chosen as the baseline for the SBL. The system was then optimized to perform the BMD mission against a formalized threat identified by SDI. The Special Study emphasized the survivability concerns for the platform and the merit of optimizing the SBL system through cost engineering. The following studies studies were assessing the impact including the midcourse mission of BMD as a potential role for the SBL.
Comments
DoD Research and Development
Session Chairman: Michael R. Spence, USAF, Commander, 6555th Aerospace Test Group, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL
Session Organizer: Spencer H. Levels, USAF, Space Shuttle Program Manager, Eastern Test Range, Patrick AFB, FL