NMFS Biological Opinion on U.S. Navy training ... - Govsupport.us

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FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013 Air-to-Air Missile Exercise. In an air-to-air missile exercise, missiles are fired from aircraft against unmanned aerial target drones such as BQM-34s and BQM-74s. Additionally, weapons may be fired against flares or Tactical Air Launched Decoys dropped by supporting aircraft. Typically, about half of the missiles fired have live warheads and half have telemetry packages. The fired missiles and targets are not recovered, with the exception of the BQM drones, which have parachutes and will float to the surface where they are recovered by boat. Air-to-air missile exercises include 1 to 6 jet target drones, 2 to 20 aircraft, 2 to 20 missiles, and a weapons recovery boat for target recovery, and are conducted within PMRF Warning Area W-188. Jet target drones are launched from an existing ground-based target launch site at PMRF Launch Complex, from a Mobile Aerial Target Support System located in the open ocean within the PMRF Warning Areas, or from an aircraft controlled by Pacific Missile Range Facility. The targets are engaged by aircraft equipped with air-to-air missiles. The targets are tracked by the aircraft and then the air-to-air missiles are launched at the targets. Recoverable target drones and all recoverable elements are refurbished and reused. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 24 of these exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 12 exercises conducted under current schedules. Surface-to-Air Gunnery Exercise. A Surface-to-Air gunnery exercise requires an aircraft or missile that will fly high or low altitude threat profiles. Commercial aircraft also tows a target drone unit that ships track, target, and engage with their surface-to-air weapon systems. The exercise involves 1 to 10 surface vessels, towed aerial targets, or jet aerial targets. Ship-deployed and air-deployed weapons systems are used, ranging from 20-mm to 5-inch caliber guns. Gunnery exercise activities are conducted within PMRF Warning Areas W-186 and W-188, Oahu Warning Areas W-187 (Kaula), W-194, and Restricted Airspace R-3107 (Kaula). The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 26 of these exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 17 exercises conducted under current schedules. Surface-to-Air Missile Exercise. A surface-to-air missile exercise (which the Navy abbreviates as MISSILEX) involves surface combatants firing live missiles (RIM-7 Sea Sparrows, SM-1 or SM-2 Standard Missiles) at target drones. The surface ship must detect, track, and engage the target using its onboard weapon systems. The purpose of the exercise is to provide realistic training and evaluation of surface ships and their crews in defending against enemy aircraft and missiles. Target drones representing enemy aircraft or missiles are flown or towed into the vicinity of the surface ship. The crew must identify the incoming object and respond with surface-to-air missiles as appropriate. There are two types of missiles. One type of missile is equipped with an instrumentation package, while the other type is equipped with a warhead. Recoverable target drones are refurbished and reused. The exercise consists of one or more surface ships, one or more target drones, and a helicopter and weapons recovery boat for target recovery. The surface-to-air missiles are launched from ships located within PMRF Warning Area W-188. Targets are launched from an existing ground-based target launch site at PMRF Launch Complex; from 20
FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013 a Mobile Aerial Target Support System located in the open ocean within the PMRF Warning Areas; or released from an aircraft. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 108 of these exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 86 of these exercises the U.S. Navy conducts in the Hawai’i Range Complex under current schedules. Air-to-Surface Missile Exercise. Air-to-surface missile exercises consist of releasing a forward-fired, guided weapon at the designated towed target. The exercise involves locating the target, usually with a laser. Air-to-surface missile exercises that do not involve the release of a live weapon can take place if a captive air training missile, simulating the weapon involved in the training, is carried. An air to surface misille exercise that involves a captive air training missile is identical to a live-fire exercise in every aspect except that a weapon is not released. The operation requires a laser-safe range as the target is located just as in a live-fire exercise. From one to 16 fixed wing aircraft or helicopters, carrying air training missiles or flying without ordnance (dry runs), are used during the exercise. Missiles include air-to-surface missiles and anti-radiation missiles (electromagnetic radiation source seeking missiles). At sea, SEPTARs, Improved Surface Towed Targets, and excess ship hulks are used as targets. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 50 of these exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 36 exercises conducted under current schedules. Chaff Exercise. A chaff exercise trains aircraft and shipboard personnel in the use of chaff to counter antiship missile threats. During a chaff exercise, ships combine maneuvering with deployment of multiple rounds of MK-36 super rapid bloom offboard chaff to confuse incoming missile threats, simulated by aircraft. In an integrated exercise scenario, helicopters deploy air-launched, rapid-bloom offboard chaff in pre-established patterns designed to enhance antiship missile defense. Chaff exercises average about 4 hours in duration. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 37 chaff exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 34 exercises conducted under current schedules. Naval Surface Fire Support Exercise. Navy surface combatants conduct fire support exercise operations at Pacific Missile Range Facility on a virtual range against “Fake Island”, located on Barking Sands Tactical Underwater Range. Fake Island is unique in that it is a virtual landmass simulated in three dimensions. Ships conducting fire support training against targets on the island are given the coordinates and elevation of targets. Pacific Missile Range Facility is capable of tracking fired rounds. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 28 naval surface fire support exercises each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 22 exercises conducted under current schedules. Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure. Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure is conducted to train helicopter crews to insert personnel onto a vessel for the purpose of inspecting the ship’s personnel and cargo for compliance with applicable 21
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