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

FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013
glyceryl tributyrate, propylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, polyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, diethyl
decanedioate, dibenzyl ether, dibutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diethylene glycol, and polypropylene
glycol 425. The top three preferred simulants are typically TBP, glyceryl tributyrate, and propylene glycol.
About 120 gallons of simulant are typically used in target vehicles launched from Pacific Missile Range Facility.
The simulant is typically transported from the continental United States to the Pacific Missile Range Facility with
the target vehicle and would be loaded into the target vehicle payload as part of the payload processing activities.
Intercept Targets Launched Into PMRF Controlled Area. Launches from Wake Island, the Reagan Test Site at U.S.
Army Kwajalein Atoll, and Vandenberg Air Force Base would be intercepted in the Broad Ocean Area and
Temporary Operating Area of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Range. Launches from those sites would be from
existing launch facilities, and no new boosters from these sites are proposed. Targets would also continue to be
launched from sea-based and air-based platforms as analyzed in previous environmental documents.
Launch SM-6 from Sea-Based Platform. Pacific Missile Range Facility also plans to develop the capability to launch
the Extended Range Active Missile, tentatively designated SM-6, from a sea-based platform. This testing should be
similar to ongoing launches of the current version of the Standard Missile from Aegis ships. For testing purposes the
SM-6 could also be launched from the Mobile Aerial Target Support System or other mobile launch platform. The
SM-6 typically consists of the SM-2 Block IV booster system and an active Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missile seeker to provide enhanced capabilities. Testing typically occurs in the Temporary Operating Area.
Test Unmanned Surface Vehicles. Future testing of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) is proposed to occur within
the Hawai'i Range Complex. These remote-controlled boats could be equipped with modular packages to potentially
support surveillance and reconnaissance activities, mine warfare, anti-terrorism/force protection, port protection,
Special Forces training operations, and possibly anti-submarine warfare. USVs generally represent small boats up to
approximately 40 feet (ft) in length, with either rigid hulls or inflatable pontoons. Inboard or outboard diesel or
gasoline engines up to several hundred horsepower would likely be used for propulsion. Test packages carried on the
USVs may include radars; sonar; multi-functional camera suites; autonomous equipment packages; and required
communications, testing, and support equipment. Onboard electrical power for equipment operations and engine
starting would come from a series of batteries (lead-acid, lithium, etc.), and possibly an electrical generator run off
the main engine.
For testing just off the coast of Pacific Missile Range Facility, the USV is typically launched from either Port Allen or
the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor. For safety purposes, the USV is typically towed by a manned vessel out of the
harbor and up the coast to Pacific Missile Range Facility before operating remotely under its own power.
Testing typically occurs only in areas cleared of vessels that are not essential to the mission. Using computers,
personnel would remotely operate the USV from a transportable command post in a trailer or located within an
existing building at Pacific Missile Range Facility. The types of tests may include low-speed surveillance activities
using cameras, radar, or sonar; maneuvering through obstacles; and high-speed runs in excess of 40 knots. Individual
test operations could occur day or night and last for up to 24 hours, depending on test requirements. Following each
test, the USV is typically towed back to harbor. Depending on test schedules, the USV might be temporarily docked,
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