MISSILE DEFENSE

Airborne Laser (ABL)

Boeing describes this weapon: "the ABL provides a speed-of-light capability to destroy ballistic missiles in their early stages of flight."

The customer:

The U.S. Air Force initiated the program in November 1996 when a "product definition risk reduction contract" was awarded to the Boeing ABL Team. "The program was transferred to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency in late 2001 and converted to a capability-based, spiral development acquisition program."

"The ABL program places a megawatt-class, high-energy Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) on a modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft to detect, track and destroy ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight."

This is a team project. "Boeing provides the aircraft, battle management and overall systems integration and testing. Northrop Grumman supplies the high-energy laser, and Lockheed Martin provides the beam control/fire control system.

The program will start installing the COIL in the aircraft in early 2007. The program will conduct its first missile intercept test in late 2008."

Japan is conducting joint research with the US on the matter, which may seem offensive to the island nation’s neighbors and up-and-coming global powers, China and Russia.



Arrow II Interceptor

The Boeing website, tells us that this system is "a ground-based, ballistic missile defense system designed to protect Israel against ballistic missiles."

"The Arrow system uses a two-stage interceptor (the Arrow II) to destroy an incoming target with a fragmentation warhead. Other system elements are a launch control center, a fire-control radar and a battle management center."

"Boeing and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) co-produce the Arrow II interceptor for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Boeing is responsible for production of about 35 percent of the Arrow interceptor components. IAI, the prime contractor of the Arrow system, is responsible for system integration and final interceptor assembly in Israel."

"In March 2004, a $78 million production contract was awarded by IAI to Boeing. The contract, effective Jan. 1, 2004, runs through 2006 with options for additional production through second quarter 2008. The total contract value could exceed $225 million if all options are exercised."



Avenger

The avenger is "the U.S. Army’s premier line-of-sight, mobile, shoot-on-the-move, short-range air defense system," we learn from the Boeing website. Even better, it's usually mounted on a gnarly green Army truck.

More than 1,100 Avengers are currently in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Marine Corps inventory. Several foreign countries have expressed interest in the Avenger, and the first of many international sales was executed in December 1996.
The system carries eight Stingers in two, four-missile launch pods ready for rapid firing from a "gyro-stabilized" turret.

The heavy High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is the primary carrier, but Avenger is designed to also operate in a stand-alone configuration or mounted on various other military vehicles.

A little history:
As far back as August 1987, the Army awarded the first production contract to Boeing to build 20 Avenger fire units.

In 1990, Boeing received Department of the Army approval for full-scale production, increasing the production rate from four Avengers a month to 12 per month in October 1991. The Avenger was deployed to the Middle East in 1991 to support NATO troops during Operation Desert Storm and again in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In early 1992, the U.S. Army signed a multi-year contract for 679 additional Avenger units, extending production into 1998 when deliveries exceeded 1,000 units.

In 1996, Boeing received the first international order through Foreign Military Sales.

In March 1999, the U.S. Army awarded Boeing a contract to begin production of Slew-to-Cue (STC) upgrades for Avengers. The STC kit significantly improves the detection and engagement of targets including low flying, low observable cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles by providing a direct link between battlefield sensors and the shooter.

In September 1999, the U.S. Army signed a second multi-year option contract for Avenger fire units and spare parts for the National Guard.



Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) System

"The GMD system is the centerpiece of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA’s) layered ballistic missile defense architecture," writes Boeing’s website.

How does it work?

"The GMD is designed to intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles during their midcourse phase of flight. It provides early detection and tracking during the boost phase, as well as midcourse target discrimination, precision intercept and destruction of the target through force of collision."

This, again, is a "team" effort. As prime contractor amongst "national champions," Boeing is developing, testing and integrating all GMD components. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, which provides kill vehicles and radars; Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences Corp., which supply interceptor boosters; and Northrop Grumman, which provides the battle management.

"GMD has been in development since 1998. In December 2002, President Bush directed the Department of Defense to field an initial set of missile defense capabilities, including GMD, in 2004-2005. As a result, starting in the fall of 2004, the Boeing GMD team began fielding the first ground-based interceptors at Ft. Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Initial GMD components also include high-powered radars based on land and at sea, and a command and control system consisting of an extensive communications network and two fire control nodes. This initial capability will be expanded in 2006 with additional interceptors and sensors."



Laser & Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS)

There are two major components of this program: the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program and Relay Systems:

1) The ATL Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration supports Special Operations missions. It is centered on a C-130 aircraft using a high-energy laser system for "engagements" against ground targets.
2) Relay Systems enable precision-strike capability against many ground targets, including airborne threats such as cruise missiles. With a laser radar onboard, the Relay Systems can actively track objects in space and detect cruise missiles.

According to the Boeing website, "Relay Systems shows promise to greatly enhance the performance of most laser weapon systems currently being considered by the Department of Defense."



Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Boeing’s website writes: "the PAC-3 missile uses hit-to-kill technology to intercept and destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hostile aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile seeker provides active guidance data to the missile, which enables the missile to acquire the target shortly before intercept, select the optimal aim point, and initiate terminal guidance to ensure target kill." The website doesn't mince words.

Customers:

"Boeing delivers PAC-3 Missile seekers to system prime contractor Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Dallas, TX. The PAC-3 Missile system is deployed with U.S. Army and Army National Guard air defense units both overseas and domestic."

A little history:

In August 2001, Boeing completed delivery of the first 20 seekers. This delivery supported the Army’s plan for accomplishing the PAC-3 First Unit Equipped objective in late September 2001 thus allowing the initial operational deployment of the PAC-3 system to a select Army Patriot unit."

In November 2002, LRIP phase I was complete with delivery of 36 seekers. Under LRIP phases II and III, Boeing delivered 112 seekers in 2003-2004.

"In March 2004, Boeing was awarded another contract not to exceed $204 million for an additional 159 seekers and related tasks. The performance period of this contract is February 2005-February 2006.