About DETEC

DETEC T-SS Update

With technology changing and DETEC not addressing all 88 shortfalls identified in the original T-SS, which completed in 2004, there was still a need to study the DE T&E community to identify any new shortfalls and changes in priorities. With this in mind, CTEIP funded an update that used the same methods as the initial DETEC T-SS and applied lessons learned from the original effort to ensure an improved and successful study. The DETEC T-SS Update completed in 2007 and revalidated previously identified shortfalls not yet addressed, as well as new and unique requirements, capabilities, shortfalls, and solution options. Some solution options are being researched by the Directed Energy Test Science and Technology (DET S&T) project. Subsequently, DETEC II's potential start shifted to at least the 2012-2014 timeframe, by which time the 2007 T-SS would be out-of-date. As a result, CTEIP funded the DETEC T-SS 2011 update, which repeated the T-SS process, again with improvements based on lessons learned, to capture the most current DE shortfalls. The T-SS 2007 and/or 2011 Final Reports can be requested by filling out the forms at the links provided below.

DETEC Directed Energy Test Methodologies

DETEC Systems Integration Contractor

The DETEC Systems Integration Contractor (SIC), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), implements the DETEC project by working with Government and industry teammates to develop functional specifications for certain DE T&E infrastructure capabilities. The SIC acquires these capabilities in competitive procurements and integrates the capabilities into the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) to help meet the testing requirements for current and future HEL and HPM weapon systems.

High Energy Laser Capabilities

HEL Target Subsystems Protection (TSP)
A handbook containing information that describes techniques, analysis methods, and tools that provide a tailored target subsystem protection solution when applied by the user to address a test specific subsystem installed in a tactical target for a specific HEL weapon test scenario.    Developer: SPARTA, Inc. of Huntsville, AL. Completed: May 2006.

HEL Target Reflected Energy Measurement (TREM)
Thirty autonomous units that are used to provide time-stamped measurements of the in-band laser weapon’s power reflected from a target. Developer: Science Applications and Research Associates (SARA), Inc. of Cypress, CA. Completed: December 2007.

HEL Target Surface Temperature Measurement (TSTM)
Requirements identified for a future system to provide a time-stamped measurement of the temperature distribution of external target surfaces being directly irradiated and heated by lasers. Capability not awarded due to high technological risk. Currently being addressed in Science and Technology efforts.

HEL Ground Target Irradiance Measurement (GTIM)
A device that measures continuous wave (CW) laser power per unit area (irradiance) incident on a stationary target located on the ground and engaged by a laser system that is either stationary or moving, on the ground or in the air. Developer: SARA, Inc of Cypress, CA. Completed: July 2007.

HEL Airborne Target Irradiance and Imagery Measurement (ATIM)
An interim solution that addresses a need for an instrument to accurately measure the CW irradiance on and collect high-resolution imagery across several spectral bands on a realistic airborne target. DETEC did not find a technically mature solution that would satisfy the requirement of this capability; a risk-reduction approach provides an interim solution. Risk reduction effort is led by White Sands Missile Range. Projected availability: August 2009.

High Power Microwave Capabilities

HPM Test Hazard Prediction (THP)
A software tool that makes near real-time predictions of where HPM beams may propagate beyond the target during open-air, live-fire HPM testing in all environments. Developer: Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK) of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: October 2008.

HPM Test Target Subsystems Surety (TTSS)
A document entitled "A Guideline for TTSS Methodology" that provides methods and tools to protect test target subsystems (telemetry, flight termination, and flight control systems) while being tested in an HPM scenario. Developer: Sol Oriens (S-O), LLC of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: October 2007.

HPM Sensor Suite (SS)
An equipment suite that contains a data acquisition control and analysis subsystem and supports real-time simultaneous acquisition from up to thirty field sensors and non-real-time measurements at up to ten remote locations in support of target effects testing, source characterization, and propagation studies. Developer: EG&G Technical Services, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: October 2008.

HPM Wideband Threat Systems (WBTS)
A surrogate source that accurately portrays wideband HPM characteristics. Developer: L-3 Pulse Sciences of San Leandro, CA. Completed: March 2011.
HPM Small Wideband Test Source (SWBTS)
Two commercially available sources that provide a principal frequency in the range of 100 MHz—300 MHz. Completed: October 2007 and March 2009.

HPM Narrowband Threat Systems (NBTS)
Several surrogate HPM sources that accurately portray narrowband HPM characteristics. Currently, four subsystems, called HPM NBTS-A, A', B, and C, comprise the HPM NBTS Capability. Developer: Ktech Corporation of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: NBTS-A and NBTS-C – May 2010; NBTS-A' – August 2010; NBTS-B – March 2011.

HPM Propagation Environment Measurement (PEM)
Equipment that measures real-time atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature profiles, ocean surface wave characteristics, water temperature, and soil surface electrical characteristics using a tethersonde and buoy. Developer: ATK, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: October 2008.

HPM Target Surrogate Materials (TSM)
A database containing information about surrogate materials that can be used to replace energetic materials such as explosives, fuel, and solid propellants during HPM testing. Developer: SAIC Applied Sciences Operation (ASO) of Albuquerque, NM. Completed: June 2009.

Directed Energy Test Science and Technology (DET S&T)

The Directed Energy Test Science & Technology (DET S&T) Test Technology Area was initiated at the direction of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) due to the current inability to conduct required full spectrum test and evaluation (T&E) on emerging directed energy (DE) weapon and threat systems prior to fielding. This test technology area aims to mature and then transition enabling technologies to reduce the engineering development risk of test capabilities required by test ranges. Successful DET S&T projects produce verified prototypes by advancing high-risk, high-payoff technologies for transition into a full T&E capability required for effective DE weapon system evaluation.