Boost-Phase Intercept ACTD

Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) is a concept where a hostile Theater Ballistic Missile (TBM) is intercepted during its boost phase of flight. This advanced concept technology demonstrations (ACTD) assessed the feasibility of intercepting ballistic missiles before they could deploy submunitions or other countermeasures. Although the Air Force and Navy concluded the system was technically feasible, they determined the number of aircraft required to provide an effective defense capability was excessive. A decision was made not to proceed with the phase II ACTD, a $400 million prototype system demonstration.

During boost phase, a TBM is a relatively large and vulnerable target; it does not maneuver and its plume/exhaust presents a very high infrared (IR) signature. The need for BPI capability is driven by the potential for post-boost countermeasures to the currently planned TMD systems. The BPI concept offered several advantages. One, the lethality challenge is greatly simplified-destruction of the TBM can be achieved by direct hits on the target warhead or sending interceptor warhead fragments into the target booster fuel tanks, guidance system or the rocket motor. Two, a successful BPI campaign eases the requirements placed on a terminal missile defense system and provides an answer to many of the measures an enemy can adopt in order to counter terminal defenses, including the use of decoys, penetration aids, and advanced submunitions. And three, the TBM boost phase of flight takes place over enemy territory.

Along with attack operations, Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) concept is the only means of destroying hostile missiles in enemy territory. The most important technologies for capable BPI engagements are airborne surveillance and fire control radar, target detection and classification algorithms, and interceptor kill vehicles capable of high velocity endo and exo intercepts. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) armed with interceptors show near term promise.

The BPI Phase I ACTD evaluated the affordability and assess the operational utility and mission effectiveness of BPI engagements. The BPI ACTD technical approach employed a high speed tactical missile with a kinetic kill vehicle carried on an airbreathing platform such as the F-14 or F-15. The missile was capable of velocities in excess of 3 km/s and a range of 120 km, and was designed to be a precursor to an objective system with a 5.5 km/s velocity and a 250 km range. On-board and off-board sensors were used to detect, track, and provide in-flight updates. The BPI Phase I was completed in fourth quarter FY95.

An Israeli follow-on BPI effort showed the feasibility and utility of using high-altitude, long endurance UAVs to perform the missile defense mission. The effort also concluded that such a system could be very complementary and cost effective to terminal missile defense systems. These efforts were performed during FY94-95.

The UAV-Based Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) program covered Israeli Cooperative BPI, and US BPI. This program was a 'hedge' for the ABL program. Conduct cooperative activities in the U.S. and Israel to mitigate risk of developing UAV-based BPI systems. The GOI led on risk mitigation of the interceptor while the U.S. led 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 shared costs.

Israeli Cooperative BPI was a joint U.S./Government of Israel (GOI) BPI program which involved future development and refinement (risk mitigation) of the Israeli Boost Phases Intercept System (IBIS) concept which was planned to destroy tactical ballistic missiles in the boost phase of flight, before engine cutoff, preferably while in enemy territory. This project was based on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) armed with on-board interceptors to provide the means of destroying enemy missiles in their boosting phase of flight. The first task of this two part project provided risk mitigation in the development of the GOI's UAV BPI.

The U.S. UAV-based BPI system concept developed the system requirements for the total concept, 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.

Sources and Resources

• FY98 PEDS 0603870C Boost Phase Intercept Theater Missile Defense Concept Development
• FY97 PEDS Project 1294 UAV-Based Boost Phase Intercept
• Boost Phase Intercept Phase I ACTD
• Boost Phase Intercept Phase I ACTD