DESCRIPTION
Crew gunnery and live-fire training are conducted using aerial targets. The targets are representative of unmanned aircraft systems and tactical fixed-wing aircraft that could be employed against U.S. forces. These targets must be capable of representing generic threat characteristics and must allow the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) weapon system crew to employ missile and gun systems to engage and destroy the target systems. ADA unit training programs must result in demonstrated tactical and technical competence, Soldier confidence in their weapon systems and the abilities of our Soldiers to employ their weapon systems in a field environment.
These systems are available for use on Department of Defense test or training ranges within the Continental United States and overseas, as well as in support of Foreign Military Sales cases.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
The ADA Targets program is an integral part of supporting ground combat readiness. Soldiers in ADA units cannot train or maintain certification for their wartime mission without enemy-representative targets supporting their live-fire training events.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Composite construction: Fiberglass or carbon fiber
- Endurance: 1-5 hours (cruise speed); fuel can be a trade for payload
- Maximum Altitude: 14,000 feet
- Maximum Speed: 125 mph
- Cruise Speed: 75 mph
- Multiple Launch: Catapult/runway/truck
- Control Ranges: Manual 3-5 km, Global Positioning System waypoint 0-25 km, satellite communications limited only by the onboard fuel
- Data link: UHF 260-380 MHz/380-400 MHz, 900 MHz, 2300-2499 MHz (video)
- Payloads: Infrared/Radio Frequency enhancer, electronic scoring (radar or acoustic), smoke, Mode S transponder, stabilized electro-optical and infrared camera, Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
PROGRAM STATUS
FY16-FY18:
- Annual Gunnery Qualification Training for Avenger and Indirect Fire Protection Capability ADA units
- National Training Center (NTC) Opposing Force (OPFOR) Surrogate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
- U.S. Marine Corps Ground Based Air Defense Systems, Stinger Training
- Navy Carrier fleet (surrogate threat Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)) training and surrogate UAS joint testing requirements
- Joint Readiness NTC OPFOR Surrogate Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) UAV support initiated, supporting all 10 annual rotations for OPFOR (509TH Infantry Regiment)
- Continued support for Army ADA qualification training, Black Dart Counter UAS Demonstration support, National Training Center (NTC) surrogate ISR UAS OPFOR training with other Combat Training Center (CTC) involvement, continued support for testing, and support for multiple Research, Development, Test and Evaluation activities for Army and other military services laboratories
- 2QFY18: Supported 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) at Fort Greely, Alaska, for exercise Artic Edge
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
FY19-FY23:
- Annual Gunnery Qualification Training for Avenger and Indirect Fire Protection Capability Army Air Defense units
- NTC OPFOR Surrogate ISR UAV
- USMC Ground Based Air Defense Systems, STINGER Training. 2QFY18 supported 2nd LAAD, USMC at Fort Greely, Alaska, for exercise Artic Edge
- Navy Carrier fleet (surrogate threat UAS) training and surrogate UAS joint testing requirements
- Joint Readiness NTC OPFOR Surrogate ISR UAV. Surrogate UAV support was initiated 1QFY18 and now supporting all ten annual rotations for OPFOR (509TH Infantry Regiment)
- Continued support for ADA qualification training, Black Dart Counter UAS Demonstration support, NTC surrogate ISR UAS OPFOR training with other CTC involvement, continued support for testing, and support for multiple Research, Development, Test and Evaluation activities for Army and other military services laboratories