Multiple kill Pathfinder carrier vehicle seeker calibrated, two additional seekers with infrared focal plane being built
On April 16, 2008 at the Space Dynamics Laboratory in North Logan, Utah, the Multiple Kill Vehicle team completed calibration of the pathfinder carrier vehicle seeker. Completion of pathfinder seeker calibration is a major milestone along the way to develop new technology required for target tracking and discrimination for the Multiple Kill Vehicle program. Completion of this milestone is the culmination of a multi-year effort to develop telescopes, structures, electronics, and software to meet the challenging requirements of mid-course threat sensing.
With successful calibration of the pathfinder seeker accomplished, the Multiple Kill Vehicle team is now building two additional seekers, each with a new technology infrared focal plane. Focal plane development is nearing completion with deliveries anticipated in June and July.
The team will complete calibration of these two seekers by the end of December 2008, retiring the remaining technology risk for mid-course threat sensing. In 2009, one of these seekers will fly on an airplane to sense missile targets of opportunity in a flight environment.
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