NationStates Jolt Archive

This is an informative thread to provide nations with the exact specifics of how an army breaks down for reference purposes. This will be followed by descriptions of specific units such as Psy Ops, military police, chemical/biological contaminants disposal units. This will hopefully clear up some confusion on army compositions as well as deployment procedures.

Follow Posts will include the effective use of Acronyms, Intelligence in Military Operations, Budgeting force deployment and anything else that is requested within reason.

NOTE: This is the American model and is not considered universal; there are differences amongst non-Western nations as well as within nations with a Commonwealth military tradition.

UPDATE: Unit specs are being provided here for everybody to use and copy.

This material is from the United States Military and can be found on the Army website.

Current American Army Breakdown

Field Army=2-5 Corps

All other organizations larger than a Corps are generically termed “Army”. An Army has three levels, all dependent upon the size and scope of the conflict. These levels are a “Theater Army”, a “Field Army”, and an “Army Group”. An Army is normally commanded by a Lieutenant General (0-9) or “full” General (0-1.0) and assisted by a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and a large staff. There are currently three standing Armies the First, Third and Fifth U.S. Army. A Theater Army is the ranking Army component in a unified command, and it has operational and support responsibilities that are assigned by the theater commander. The theater commander and Theater Army Commander may order formation of a Field Army to direct operations of assigned Corps and Divisions. An Army Group, composed of two or more Field Armies under a designated commander, is the largest tactical formation used in combat operations. However, formations of this type have not been employed since World War II. (General Schwartzkopf commanded a Field Army during Operation Desert Storm; during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Corps was the largest Army organization employed.)

Corps=2-5 Divisions

20,000 to 40,000 soldiers. The Corps is the deployable level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations. It also provides the framework for multinational operations. The Corps provides command, control and logistical support of two to five divisions. The Corps is commanded by a Lieutenant General (0-9) who is assisted by a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and an extensive Corps staff. There are currently four Corps in the Active Army three with Headquarters in the Continental United States (I, III, and XVIII Corps) and one in Germany (V Corps).

Division=3 or more Brigades (10 active, 2 intergrated, 8 ARNG)

10,000 to 16,000 soldiers. The Division performs major tactical operations and can conduct sustained battles and engagements. Divisions are numbered (e.g., 1st Armored Division, 82nd Airborne Division) and are categorized by one of five types: Light Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Armor, Airborne or Air Assault. The Division is commanded by a Major General (0-8.) who is assisted by two principal Brigadier Generals (0-7.) who perform duties as Assistant Division Commanders one for Maneuver and one for Support. The Command Sergeant Major (E-9.) is the principal non-commissioned officer assistant. Divisions are comprised of three tactical maneuver (Infantry and/or Armor) Brigades and a Division base of combat support and combat service support elements. There are currently ten divisions in the Active Army and eight Divisions in the Reserves/National Guard. In October 1999, The Army established two Integrated Divisions (the 7th Infantry Division and 24th Infantry Division) consisting of an Active Component headquarters commanded by an Active Component Major General (O-8.), and three Army National Guard Enhanced Seperate Brigades.

Brigade (can also be called a Group or Regiment)= 3 or more Battalions

1,500 to 3,200 soldiers. A brigade is a significantly large unit that can be employed on independent or semi-independent operations. The Brigade is normally commanded by a Colonel (0-6.) although in some cases a Brigadier General (0-7.) may assume command. The Command Sergeant Major (E-9.) is the principal non-commissioned officer assistant. During combat operations, Infantry, Armor and Cavalry Brigades normally have a field artillery battalion, engineer battalion and combat service support battalion in direct support. Brigades also exist in combat service and combat service support branches (e.g., Engineer Brigade, Signal Brigade). Armored Cavalry units of this size are referred to as Regiments (e.g., 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment). Ranger and Special Forces units this size are referred to as Groups.

Battalion = 3-5 Companies

300 to 1,000 soldiers. The Battalion is a unit that is both tactically and administratively self-sufficient. In warfighting, Battalions are capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope. The Battalion is typically composed of four to six companies, and is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (0-5) with a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) as the primary non-commissioned officer assistant. The Commander has a Battalion Staff of officers and non-commissioned officers to oversee missions, training, administration and logistics. A Battalion Task-Force is a Battalion-size unit with additional companies attached in direct support to enhance mission capability. An armored or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is referred to as a squadron.

Company/Troop/Battery= 100 to 200 soldiers

60 to 200 soldiers. The Company is a cohesive tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own. It is capable of receiving and controlling additional combat, combat support or combat service support elements to enhance its mission capability. The Company has a small headquarters element to assist the Commander. Typically, three to five platoons form a Company, with between 15-25 vehicles. For example, an Armor Tank Company is composed of five officers, 57 enlisted soldiers, 14 M1A2/A3 Main Battle Tanks and several wheeled vehicles. The Company is normally commanded by a Captain (0-3). A First Sergeant (E-8.) is the commander’s principal non-commissioned assistant. Depending on the type of unit, a Company may be called a Troop or Battery. Ground or Air Cavalry units (armor and aviation units specially trained for reconnaissance missions) refer to these elements as Troops. Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery units refer to these elements as Batteries.

Platoon = 3-4 Squads

16-44 soldiers. The Platoon is the basic combat unit capable of maneuvering in the conduct of combat operations and is led by a Lieutenant 0-1/0-2 who is assisted by a Platoon Sergeant who is a Sergeant First Class (E-7). A platoon consists of two to four squads/sections depending on the type of unit. For example, an infantry Platoon consists of three squads. A Mechanized Infantry Platoon consists of four fighting vehicles (M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle), divided into two sections. Each vehicle holds 8-9 soldiers. A Tank Platoon consists of four tanks organized into two sections of two tanks each.

Squad/Section

eight to 16 soldiers. Typically led by a Sergeant (E-5) or Staff Sergeant (E-6), the squad is the smallest element in the Army organizational structure. Its size is dependent on its function. In some units, two squads may compose a Section led by a Staff Sergeant. In a light infantry (non-mechanized) squad, there are normally nine soldiers and a squad leader. In a mechanized infantry squad, there are up to 16 soldiers, organized into two teams. Each team is assigned to a tactical vehicle (e.g., Bradley Fighting Vehicle). In an Armor (Tank/Cavalry) unit the term Section is used in lieu of squad. A section consists of two vehicles (e.g., M1A2 Abrams). Each tank has a crew consisting of four personnel.

Tagged.

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This is the first set of posts, I will be going through the post now to clarify some of the acronyms and military talk to make it more understandable.

I can answer specific budget questions but I need to know the size of the force you are asking about, I AM NOT SELLING ANY OF THE TECHNOLOGY HERE. I will leave that up to the more enterprising of you to do, though I will endeavor to explain it (if it is open source material).

This will be updated in about 12 hours with more units and specifications.

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M1A2 ABRAMS MAIN BATTLE TANK

Provide necessary firepower, mobility, and survivability to overmatch all potential threat armored vehicles in achieving decisive dominant maneuver. Provide shock action agent for armor, armored cavalry, and amphibious armor unit. Serve as a primary host vehicle for FBCB2 network centric communication package necessary for multidimensional, dispersed and non-contiguous operations.

SIZE/WEIGHT
Length 387 Inches
Width 144 Inches
Height 93.5 Inches
Curb weight 69.54 Tons
Ground Clearance 19 inches
Ground Pressure 15.4 PSI

PERFORMANCE @ GVW

Maximum speed 42 mph (governed)
Cross country 30 mph
10% slope 17 mph
60% slope 4.1 mph
Acceleration (0 to 20 mph) 7.2 seconds
Cruising range 265 miles
Maximum trench crossing 9 feet
Vertical Obstacle 42 inches
Power to weight ratio 21.6hp/ton

POWER TRAIN & SUSPENSION

Engine 1500 HP gas turbine engine
Transmission Hydro kinetic transmission - 4 forward speeds, 2 reverse

FIRE SUPPRESSION

Automatic fire detection/suppression

CREW

4 total

ARMAMENT

Primary 120 mm M256 smooth bore cannon
Coaxial weapon 7.62 M240 machinegun
Loader's Weapon 7.62 M240 machinegun on skate mount
Commander's Weapon 50 cal. M2 machinegun
Ammunition Storage 42 Rounds 120 mm
11,400 Rounds 7.62mm
900 Rounds 50 caliber
32 Screening Grenades
210 Rounds 5.56 mm
NBC System 200 SCFM - clean cooled air

Electronics/Crew Cooling. 25,600 BTU /Hr

Relpacement Cost: $4,300,000 (M1 Abrams as price not available yet for M1A2 but expect about $250,000-500,000 more)

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EXPEDITIONARY FIGHTING VEHICLE (EFV)

EFV will provide high speed transport of embarked Marine infantry from ships located beyond the horizon to inland objectives.

EFV will provide armor protected land mobility and direct fire support during combat operations.

SIZE/WEIGHT

GVW - fully loaded 76,000 lbs
GVW - empty 64,000 lbs

PERFORMANCE @ GVW

Maximum speed - Land 45 mph
High speed water mode 23-29 mph (20-25 knots)
Transition Mode 10 mph (9 knots)
Operating range - Land 400 Miles
Operating range - Sea 65 Miles
Roll recovery 100 degrees
Reserve buoyancy 27%
Ground Clearance 16 inches

POWER TRAIN & SUSPENSION

Engine MTU MT883 Diesel - water mode 2700 hp, land mode 850 hp
Water propulsion Two 23" dia. water jets
Suspension Retractable hydropneumatic

FIRE SUPPRESSION

Automatic fire extinguishing system

PERSONNEL

Crew 3 total
Payload Combat equipped marines - 18
Cargo capacity in lieu of marines -5,130 lbs

ARMAMENT

Primary 30mm Bushmaster Mk 44
Secondary weapon 7.63 mm machine gun
Ammunition 30 mm ready rounds - 200
30 mm stowed - 400
7.62 mm ready rounds - 800
7.62 mm stowed - 1,600
Armored protection 14.5 mm AP 155 mm artillery fragments

Replacement Cost: Estimated $4,000,000.

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STRYKER FAMILY OF VEHICLES

Legend

A. Infantry Carrier Vehicle
B. Command Vehicle
C. Mobile Gun System

D. Fire Support Vehicle
E. Medical Evacuation
F. Mortar Carrier

G. Engineer Squad Vehicle
H. Anti-tank Guided Missle
I. NBC Reconnaissance

J. Reconnaissance Vehicle

Deployability

Strategic
C-130
C-5
C-17 Air Transport
Combat Weight 38,000 lbs

Mobility

Max Speed 62 mph
Max Range 300 miles
Max Trench Crossing 6.5 ft
Acceleration 50m < 8.0 sec
Forward Slope 60%
Side Slope 30%
Step Climbing 23 inches

Lethality

Infantry Carrier Vehicle
Kongsberg Remote Weapons Station (MK 19 40mm or 0.50 CAL or 7.62mm)

Mobile Gun System
Low Profile Turret M68A1 105mm Cannon
Anti-tank Guided Missile
Elevated TOW System, TOW 2B

Mortar Carrier
Battalion 120mm & 81mm
Company 120mm & 60mm
RSTA Squadron 120mm

Survivability

Protection Levels
Integral All Around 14.5mm
Applique RPG-7
Overhead 152mm HE Airburst

NBC Detection Package
Individual Crew Respirators
Reduced Signature
Thermal
Audible

Replacement Cost: Approx $1,900,000.

Individual specs will come later

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ASLAV-25

Mobility and protection for reconnaissance of the enemy and terrain
Tactical mobility for effective use of firepower
Firepower to defeat soft armored targets
Battlefield survivability to carry out combat missions
Supportability and affordability

SIZE/WEIGHT

Length 6527 mm
Width 2620 mm
Height 2692 mm
Curb weight 11,680 kg
Combat weight 13,200 kg

PERFORMANCE @ GVW

Maximum speed 100 kph
Swim speed 10 kph
Maximum range 660 km
Minimum turn diameter 15.5 m
Maximum trench crossing 2 m
Maximum grade 60%
Maximum side slope 30%

POWER TRAIN & SUSPENSION

Engine 275 hp Detroit Diesel 6V53T
Transmission Allison MT653 (5 speeds forward – 1 reverse)
Transfer case 1
Differentials 4 automotive, 1 water drive
Suspension 8 wheel independent
Full time 4 wheel (rear) drive
Selective 8 wheel drive
Selective water drive
Water drive 2 propellers 4 rudders
Power steering
Power brakes

AIR TRANSPORTABILITY

1 C-130
2 C-141
8 C-5A
1 CH-53 (helicopter lift)

DOORS/HATCHES

2 rear with center post
2 rear roof
1 driver
1 gunner
1 vehicle commander
1 left-hand side escape
1 winch
1 power entry

TOWABILITY

By similar vehicle (with standard towbar MS-500048)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24 volts negative ground
waterproof
radio suppressed system
wiring, connectors, breakers, harnesses IAW MIL-STDs
MIL-STD 220 amp alternator
4 batteries per MS 52149E (AT)
500 amp slave receptacle

FIRE SUPPRESSION

Halon 1301
AFES two shot automatically activated

PERSONNEL

9 total
1 driver
1 vehicle commander
1 gunner
6 troops (provision for)

ARMAMENT

Primary M242 25mm chain gun with Thermal Imaging Sight
Secondary M240 7.62mm machine gun mounted coaxially to the main gun
Supplementary MAG58 7.62mm machine gun (pintle mounted)
Ancillary 2 76mm Smoke Grenade Launchers (Clusters of 4 launchers each)

Ammunition Ready:
8 76mm Smoke Grenades
400 rounds 7.62mm
210 rounds 25mm

Stowed:
8 76mm Smoke Grenades
800 rounds 7.62mm
510 rounds 25mm
300 rounds 5.56mm for Steyr rifles

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM

Air conditioning

ATGM WIRE CUTTER

2 at driver & turret

AMPHIBIOUS

Fully (with 3 minute preparation)

PAINT

CARC – interior white
CARC – exterior camouflage pattern

ON VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

Tools, camouflage nets, utensils

VISION

Driver
3 M-17 periscopes
1 night vision AN/VVS 2 (LAV) GEN III
Vehicle Commander
7 M-27 periscopes
1 M36/LAV sight consisting of:
– Day sight
– Night Sight Elbow (GEN III)
1 Commander’s Thermal Display
Gunner
1 M-27 periscope
1 DTAS-DIM36TH sight consisting of:
– Thermal Sensor and Display
– LASER Range Finder/Day sight
Crew Compartment
6 vision block MIL-B-11352 and MIL-F-62422

EQUIPMENT

Self-recovery Hydraulic Winch (front-mounted 15,000 lb. dynamic pull)

COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

4 station intercom system
2 VHF radios COMSEC ECCM
1 HF radio COMSEC ECCM

Cost: $900,000

Tag

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PANDUR 6x6

MISSION ROLL REQUIREMENTS
-Armored Personnel Carrier
-Reconnaissance
-Advanced Mobility
-Superior Survivability
-Vehicle Stealth Technology
-Onboard Computer System
-Rapid Maintenance

SIZE/WEIGHT

Length 6.573 m
Width 2.6679 m
Height 2.06m
Combat weight 13.5 Tons (29,700lbs)

PERFORMANCE @ GVW

Maximum speed 100-110 km/h (62-68 mph)
Cruising Range 650 km (404 miles)
Acceleration 32 km/h (0-20 mph) 6.5 sec
--------------48 km/h (0-30 mph) 11.5 sec
Fording 1.2 m (47.2 in)
Swimming (Amphibious version) 11 km/h (7mph)
Cant 40%
Slope 70%
Obstacle 0.5 m (19.7 in)
Trench 2.6 m (102.4 in)

POWER TRAIN & SUSPENSION

Engine Cummins ISC 350 Diesel (285 hp)
Transmission ZF 6HP 602C fully automatic transmission

FIRE SUPPRESSION

Fire detection & suppression

PERSONNEL

12 total
Driver
Commander
12 troops

ARMAMENT

Primary Up to 105 mm

Armor Protection
Frontal 12.7x99mm API
All Around 7.62x51mm AP
Spall liner
Mine Protection Carpet

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM

Crew compartment
Air circulation system
NBC system

Cost: $715,000 (price from DoD sale to Kuwait in 1997 so it might be a bit off)

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Dec/20031294054364495875228.jpg

RG-31 MINE PROTECTED TACTICAL VEHICLE

Proven world-wide the Mine Protected Tactical Vehicles are in current service with NATO Forces in former Yugoslavia and the Middle East, the US Army and Defense Forces in Central Africa. The MPTV has been selected and is in service with the United Nations in Lebanon, Georgia and Bosnia.

This vehicle offers excellent protection, with an all-welded armored shell which can resist small arms fire up to 5.56 x 45 mm, with an optional protection level of up to 7.62 x 51 mm armor piercing. The glass used in all the windows is bullet resistant and tinted for optimum vision and protection. The MPTV also has a purpose designed hull which can withstand a double TM57 level mine explosion (14kg of TNT) under any wheel and a single detonation (7kg of TNT) centrally under the vehicle.

GENERAL STATISTICS

Dimensions

Weight - Curb 15,989.6 lbs (7286 kg)
Weight - Max. 18,480.0 lbs (8400 kg)
Length 19.5 ft (6.100 m)
Width 7.4 ft (2.250 m)
Height 8.9 ft (2.700 m)

Performance

Max. Speed 62 mph (100 kph)
Acceleration 0-37.3 mph 30.5 sec (0-60 kph) 30.5 sec
Range 372.6 m (600 km)
Climbing Ability 50% low range
Cant (Tilt) 35° slide slope
Fuel Consumption 8 gal/62m 30.0 lt per 100 km
4 Wheel Drive constant
Turning Diameter 44.3 ft (13.500 m)
Ground Clearance 1.3 ft (0.400 m)
Tires 322 mm with original tires

Armor Rating

5.56 x 45 mm (optional 7.62 x 51 mm)

Electrical System

System 24 Volt
Alternator 28 Volt/55 A Drive Train

Engine Type 4 stroke, 6 cylinder, fuel injected diesel
Gearbox 4 speed automatic, 1 reverse gear
Brakes Pneumatically operated drums
Steering Hydraulic power steering
4 Wheel Drive
Differential locks

Crew & Passengers

Crew 2
Passengers
6 Combat ready troops, optional configuration for 8

Access
Individual overhead hatches and main door at rear
Climate Control
Tropical rated air conditioning

Possible Mission Roles
--Armored/Assault Personnel Carrier (APC)
--Heavy & Light Weapons Platform
--Command Vehicle
--Ambulance
--Utility Platform

Cost: $200,000 (estimated due to differences in sale orders)

Considering there are well over 5000 different military systems and I don't have the time or inclination to post that many, I am willing to offer this:

If you want the specs for a specific vehicle or if you want a complete list of what ordinance and vehicles a RL nation uses, then post it here and I will endeavor to supply specs, price and number (within a 24-48 period).

I will not supply all of the United States arsenal, that would take weeks though if you have a specific request (ship, plain, artillery, tank, APC, equipment, etc...) I will post it and notify you by telegram.

Some prices cannot be supplied as well as some specs.

Be reasonable in your requests and everybody can get the info they need.

I need a drink now.

Thanks for all of your hard work.

Thanks for all of your hard work.

No problem, I decided to do this after I noticed a lot of discrepancies in prices and specifications for ordinance. I hope that this is useful to people who want to accurately build and fictional maintain a military as well as visualize what is being deployed in the world today and how much it is going to cost peoples respective nations.

As per requested by FDI opportunity by telegraph, info from global security

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The Kinetic Energy Interceptor program will provide needed additional capability to the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System. The initiative is aimed at deploying a boost-phase intercept capability by 2008. By engaging ballistic missiles in the boost and ascent stages of flight, the KEI will provide the nation with the capability of defeating future sophisticated threats before their payloads are released.

The KEI program is designed to produce interceptors capable of shooting down enemy ballistic missiles during their boost and ascent phases of flight. This effort will augment the midcourse and terminal based interceptor programs currently underway to provide a layered missile defense architecture that will guard against potential enemy attack. The booster stack defined for the initial deployment will be designed to accept subsequent spiral-development upgrades to the interceptor and other system components.

The relative velocity (or closing rate) of a KE intercept may vary from a low of 1 to 2 km/s up to a hypervelocity of 8 to 10 km/s (10 km/s = 36,000 km/hr).

Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) is a missile defense program whose goal is to design, develop, and deploy kinetic energy-based, mobile, ground and sea-launched missiles that can intercept and destroy enemy ballistic missiles during their boost phase. KEI element consists of Interceptor Component, Mobile Launcher Component, and Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) component.

Kinetic boost phase intercept is a challenge because the threat missile must be detected and confirmed within a few seconds of launch. It then becomes a race between an accelerating ballistic missile and the interceptor in which the threat missile has had a head start. Another technical challenge is designing a kill vehicle that can detect and track the target following missile-staging events and then impact the missile in the presence of a brilliant plume. Near term activities will allow risk reduction activities to resolve critical technological risks associated with candidate boost systems and the development of a concept of operations through war-gaming and other planning activities.

MDA is considering a sea-based boost activity to develop a high-speed, high-acceleration booster coupled with a boost kill vehicle. This activity will simultaneously support a proof-of-concept space-based experiment (SBX) using a space-based kinetic energy kill vehicle. The object of this work is to make product line decisions that would deliver useful initial boost defense capability by 2010, either from a mobile sea-based or a space-based platform. MDA will test a sea-based kill vehicle against a threat representative target that could put MDA on the path to an operational sea-based intercept capability. This activity will simultaneously support a space-based experiment (SBX) using a space-based kinetic energy kill vehicle.

In December 2003 MDA dropped plans to spend $14 million on the space-based Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) in FY2004. Any spending on space KEI will not take place until FY2005 at the earliest.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced plans to release the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) Capabilities on 17 January 2003. To qualify as a prime contractor, the contractor's team must have recent, relevant experience in all of the following seven areas: (1) weapon system integration and test, (2) booster development, (3) kill vehicle development, (4) launcher development/integration, (5) integration with external sensors, (6) command, control battle management and communications and (7) missile production.

On 31 March 2003 a team composed of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) was awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to proceed to the next phase of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program competition. Under a $10 million, eight-month contract, Northrop Grumman/Raytheon was one of two teams chosen for the concept design phase of the program. Northrop Grumman is leading the team and serving as systems integrator. Raytheon is the principal subcontractor responsible for developing and integrating the interceptor and providing a significant portion of weapon system engineering. The KEI program's Concept Design stage also included Lockheed Martin and team member Boeing working under a $10 million study contract awarded by MDA in March 2003.

On June 17, 2003 ATK (Alliant Techsystems, NYSE: ATK), a leading provider of solid boost, upper-stage, and control system propulsion for missile defense applications, was selected to support concept definition studies by the two prime contractor teams competing to define a boost-phase defense capability for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). ATK Elkton, Elkton, Md., supported the Lockheed Martin/Boeing and Northrop Grumman/Raytheon teams during the eight-month concept definition phase of the MDA Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program.

On August 22, 2003 Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced that it will conduct final assembly of its Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) in Courtland, AL, if selected by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to proceed as prime contractor on the program.

In November 2003 Boeing [NYSE:BA] successfully tested a new rocket thruster, just eight inches in length, that is now the most powerful engine of its type in the propulsion industry. Developed by Boeing Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, Calif., the Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) engine generated 1,100 pounds of thrust in hot-fire tests conducted recently at White Sands Test Facility, N.M. The tests follow a design and development schedule that moved from a clean sheet of paper to working hardware in only five months. Creation of the DACS engine was aimed at meeting high-performance propulsion needs of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), the next-generation missile defense concept. Characteristics of the new DACS rocket thruster include the ability to be turned on and off in any sequence to meet mission requirements, as commanded by the targeting, guidance, navigation and control system; very high specific impulse and thrust-to-weight-ratios; and highly reliable operation and low production costs. A key advantage of the engine is its use of storable liquid propellants, which are fully-characterized with well-documented technical, performance, operational, safety and handling data.

The program’s schedule called for MDA to select a single contractor to perform the Development and Test phase of the program in late 2003. Final award to one prime team for the development and test phase of the KEI program is valued at more than $4 billion over five years. Overall responsibilities of the prime will include systems engineering, systems integration and test, command and control, battle management, communications and launcher development.

On 03 December 2003 the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) today awarded a Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) team the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) contract. Led by Northrop Grumman, the industry team will develop and test this critical boost phase element of the Agency's global layered missile defense system. The KEI contract is valued at more than $4 billion over eight years.

The Northrop Grumman/Raytheon team will now move forward with its design and begin managing the development and test phase, leading to planned deployment of this new land-based element in the 2010-2012 timeframe. KEI will complement the other boost, midcourse and terminal defense interceptor programs currently underway.

The Northrop Grumman/Raytheon design includes a mobile land-based launcher built by Northrop Grumman and subcontractor SEI; a Raytheon-built interceptor that will be faster and more agile than any other interceptor to date; a HMMWV that will house the command and control battle management and communications system; and satellite receivers to process the signal that a hostile missile has been launched. The equipment is highly mobile and can be easily loaded onto a C-17 aircraft and transported worldwide.

The KEI Interceptor (36 feet long, 36 inches diameter). Raytheon is developing the kill vehicle, Orbital is designing the booster, ATK will provide the engine, and Aerojet will provide the Divert and Attitude Control System.

Northrop Grumman's key missile defense programs include building the Defense Support Program satellite, the first component in the Ballistic Missile Defense system to detect a hostile launch; prime contractor for the Joint Tactical Ground Station; prime contractor developing the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS); providing payloads and associated mission processing for SBIRS-High and STSS; developing and fielding the Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) fire control/communications system (formerly known as BMC3) and the command launch equipment command and control (GMD CLE C2) system; and prime contractor for the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC) where ballistic missile defense war games are conducted. Northrop Grumman is also providing engineering support services and active/passive sensor technology expertise directly to MDA. Northrop Grumman is developing the high-power chemical laser component of MDA's Airborne Laser (ABL) program. The company is the U.S. Army's contractor for the Mobile Tactical High-Energy Laser, and also is playing a leading role developing and fielding the Aegis weapon system, the major sea-based element of missile defense. Targets and countermeasures work includes serving as prime contractor for the Liquid Booster program, and providing systems engineering and technical assistance to the Rocket Systems Launch program which supports the assembly and launch of target vehicles from Vandenberg Air Force Base for each GMD test.

Raytheon is a leader in missile defense systems, from surveillance, to BMC3, to interceptors and kill vehicles. Raytheon produces the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle for MDA's GMD program and the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) including the kinetic warhead for the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program. Raytheon interceptors have scored a total of eight successful intercepts. Raytheon is a major player in the GMD element providing a family of radars including the Upgraded Early Warning Radar, Upgraded Cobra Dane Radar, Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar, the Ground-Based Radar-Prototype and the TPS-X Radar. Additionally, Raytheon is the sensor provider for the STSS Block 06 program and supplies the tracking and illumination laser on the ABL and the JNIC. Raytheon is the prime contractor for the combat proven Patriot Weapon System and is a key contractor on the THAAD program, responsible for the THAAD radar, a significant portion of the THAAD BMC2 and a significant portion of weapon systems engineering and test.

*tag*

Excellent work. (reminds me of my own thread on this subject :D)