NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md.--The Navy’s Aerial Target and Decoy System program office (PMA-208) recently facilitated training for the first ever dual stream launch using a target Airborne Relay (ABR) mounted on a guided-missile destroyer offshore Okinawa, Japan.

The dual stream launch, or two targets inbound at one time, is a tactic that may be used by enemies in theater.

A team from PMA-208, Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan, Destroyer Squadron 15, Surface Warfare Development Group, and Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa Targets Department worked with the fleet to provide training to sailors during the April 12-15 Operation Multi-Sail.

"The sailors had an opportunity to perform a dual stream launch with the BQM-74E target which replicates real-world threats and prepares them for real-world operations,” said Lt. Cmdr Tom Dall, PMA-208 fleet liaison.

Typically, ranges fly a U.S. Navy fixed-wing aircraft carrying an ABR to transfer radio signals sent by the land-based remote control to increase the range of the aerial or surface targets beyond the radio line of site. PMA-208 led an effort to provide a substitute for the typical ABR mission using two ships spaced apart with one serving as the ABR platform.

The development and deployment of ABR aboard USS McCain (DDG-56) downrange from the target launch ship, USS McCampbell (DDG-85), greatly increases the range, according to Dall. The ABR ensures that the target control ranges are extended beyond the line of site of the surface-mounted antenna.

PMA-208’s engineering efforts, equipment, and training provide a tactically relevant, minimal risk and low cost solution to serve 7th Fleet and sailors around the world.

***********************************************************************

Cutline: The second of two BQM-74E targets is successfully launched off the USS McCampbell (DDG-85)offshore Okinawa, Japan during Operation Multi-Sail April 2010.