Lightweight ExoAtmospheric Projectile (LEAP) - United States ...

1.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT NOT CARRIED FORWARD
An extensive analysis was conducted to eva!uate potential alternatives in support of the
LEAP Test Program, ihcluding alternatives to the boosters and launch test ranges as
described in previous sJctions. The process included identifying the boosters which met
program specifications ahd identifying those ranges that could support mission requirements
(Table 2). All LEAP tbst flights have been reviewed by the Treaty Compliance Review
Group. The group has 1equired that the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth LEAP test flights be
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flown from either WSMR or USAKA, which are ABM designated ranges. After
consideration of the sixtben booster configurations found in Table 3, only the Aries I, Ari·es
II, and the Castor IV A ~ere found to be acceptable. Boosters which were considered but
not included in the program are identified in Section 1.4.1.
· considered but not incl~ded in the program are identified in Section 1.4.2.
Test ranges which were
1.4.1 Altrnative Launch Vehicles
Detailed studies were lrformed to select the appropriate launch vehicle to support LEAP
test flights. Critical fJctors in the booster selection process included weight, diametc~r,
performance characterJtics (including reliability), availability, and compatibility with various
test ranges. Boosters donsidered for the LEAP Test Program are shown in Table 3.
The Black Brant and Aries I boosters were the only two boosters to meet the program
requirement of being compatible with launching from WSMR. Both boosters h2cve
previously been flown from WSMR. However, the Black Brant booster has a 17 inch
diameter, compared to the 48 inch diameter of the Aries. The necessary booster width to
accommodate the LEAP payload is designated as 40 inches. The Black Brant, therefore,
does not meet prograJ. specifications and was dropped from further consideration.
· nie analysis for booster performance was also applied to LEAP projectile launches from
USAKA For the reasbns cited above, the Aries I and Aries II boosters were chosen over
other alternatives. A 6etailed analysis was performed to guide booster selection for the
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