0605605A DOD High Energy Laser System Test Facility (HELSTF)

A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification - Project DE97 DoD High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF): The HELSTF provides a broad based high energy laser (HEL) RDTE capability at White Sands Missile Range, NM in support of Tri-Service HEL research and development and damage, vulnerability, and lethality laser testing. The HELSTF's laser development support capabilities include a certified laser test range, a fully integrated laser support facility, an extensive array of fully instrumented test sites and the Sea Lite Beam Director (SLBD). This multiple use facility supports testing of laser effects for targets ranging from scaled laboratory up through full scale flying target tests. Test facility support operations are required for general research and development; therefore, this PE is appropriate for inclusion in Budget Activity 6.

FY 1996 Accomplishments:

	23737	Performed required site operations and maintenance activities.
	4747	Joint US/Israeli Nautilus Program
	4747	Joint US/Israeli Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) Program.
Total	33231

FY 1997 Planned Program:

	23555	Provide funding to perform required site operations and maintenance activities to maintain laser system testing infrastructure.
	5730	Solid State Laser.
	689	Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs.
Total	29974

FY 1998 Planned Program:

	9952	Perform Operation and Maintenance and base operations support functions in support of the Army, Department of Defense and other agencies conducting high energy laser systems concept development studies and test and evaluation on candidate high energy laser weapons systems.
	5000	Provide operations and maintenance for organic high energy laser systems and associated optical trains. Provide the means to conduct ballistic missile signature information gathering and data collection on ballistic missile defense systems tests conducted at White Sands Missile Range.
Total	14952

FY 1999 Planned Program:

	9976	Perform Operation and Maintenance and base operations support functions in support of the Army, Department of Defense and other agencies conducting high energy laser systems concept development studies and test and evaluation on candidate high energy laser weapons systems.
	5000	Operations, maintenance and upgrades on organic high energy lasers and associated optical trains. Support ballistic missile defense signature data collection efforts.
Total	14976

NOTE: Effective FY 1997 the Nautilus/THEL program transfers to PE 0603308A.

B. Project Change Summary	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999
FY 1997 President's Budget	34043	2967	0	0
Appropriated Value	35000	29974
Adjustments to Appropriated Value	-1769
FY 1998 Pres Bud Request	33231	29974	14952	14976

Change Summary Explanation: FY1997 - Congressional Increase for minimum HELSTF operations and Solid State Laser.

FY 1998/1999 - Army restored funding to provide for minimum essential operations and maintenance of HELSTF.