Figure 2-4: CMD ACTD Phase I Demonstration Using Mountain Top Sensors
The focus of the Cruise Missile Defense (CMD) Phase I ACTD ("Mountain Top") was the detection and engagement of beyond-radar-horizon cruise missile targets. The goal was to detect, track, and successfully engage cruise missiles at ranges beyond the radar line of sight of surface-based air defense units, and to provide an opportunity to assess joint doctrine and concepts of air defense operations. As depicted in Figure 2-4, elevated sensors were located on a Hawaiian mountain top where they operated in concert with a U.S. Navy Aegis cruiser and U.S. Army Patriot battery to detect, track, and engage target drones at ranges beyond the radar lines of sight of the surface-based air defense units.
The objectives during Phase I of the CMD ACTD were to:
This ACTD was approved by the DUSD(AT) in May 1994 as a joint U.S. Army and U.S. Navy demonstration under U.S. Navy lead. The CMD Phase I Management Plan was approved in December 1994. ACTD tests and associated activities were conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, HI, and were completed in early February 1996.
FY95 Accomplishments
The Phase I CMD demonstration satisfied all ACTD objectives and established proof of the ADSAM concept, as depicted in Figure 2-5. Emerging U.S. Navy technologies used in Phase I were the Radar Surveillance Technology Experimental Radar (RSTER) with the ADS-18S antenna; the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), which performed sensor networking between the Mountain Top sensor suite and the surface-based air defense units; and Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) seeker modifications that enhanced performance in high clutter environments. The U.S. Army tested its Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Ka band active radar missile seeker technology.
FY96 Accomplishments
In U.S. Navy live fire events during January 1996, the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie used remote target information transmitted from the Mountain Top via CEC to engage targets with SM-2 missiles. In the first ever remote terminal illumination and extended horizon engagements, all four SM-2 missile shots were direct hits or passed within lethal radius of the targets. The U.S. Army Mountain Top Experiment (AMTE) achieved 98% success in over 100 weapons system target engagement tests using information transmitted via the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Tactical Data Information Link-J (TADIL-J) from the Mountain Top site. The U.S. Army conducted both captive carry tests using PAC-3 seeker-equipped aircraft as surrogate target interceptors, and ADSAM "virtual engagements" of live targets by a PAC-3 missile simulator that develops fire control solutions based on Mountain Top sensor data transmitted from the CEC processor via JTIDS/TADIL-J.
Mountain Top ACTD events were followed by a five-day Enhanced Joint Exercise in late January-early February. Both CEC and JTIDS/TADIL-J communications were tested between the ACTD participants (Mountain Top sensors, Patriot battery, and USS Lake Erie) and two additional CEC-equipped Aegis cruisers (USS Anzio and USS Cape St. George) from the Atlantic Fleet, the Customs Service CEC-equipped P-3 aircraft, an instrumented U.S. Air Force E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, a U.S. Marine Corps Hawk missile battery, and a sensor-equipped aerostat. Littoral theater air defense scenarios were exercised in jamming and radar clutter environments. Both SM-2 and Hawk missiles were fired in highly successful tests against low altitude targets. All participants collected valuable data that will be used in further technology and CONOPS development.
There are specific results from this ACTD that are classified and can be furnished to appropriately cleared organizations upon request. This ACTD was completed in FY96.
Several agencies were involved in Phase I of the CMD ACTD. The designated user for Phase I of the ACTD was the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Command (CINCPAC) (J3). The Chief of Naval Research was the executing agent for Phase I of the ACTD. The Executing Agent appointed Office of Naval Research (ONR), Code 35 as the overall Demonstration Manager for Phase I. The Service Program Managers included the PEO for Missile Defense (AMTE Program Manager) for the U.S. Army and the PEO for Theater Air Defense (CEC Program Manager) for the U.S. Navy.
CMD points of contact are listed below.
| AT Staff | Service/Agency POC | User Sponsor |
| Mr. Pete Hoag (703) 604-4557 | Dr. Eli Zimet ONR (703) 696-4773 |
Lt Col Pete Guter USAF, USCINCPAC J-39 (808) 477-5390 |