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
Hypersonic vehicles, such as those being developed under the Hypersonic Flight Demonstration program, could be
flight tested at Pacific Missile Range Facility from within and beyond the Temporary Operating Area. The missilelike
test vehicle would be fueled at Pacific Missile Range Facility using JP-10 (exo-tetrahydrocyclopentadiene) or a
similar turbine liquid fuel. On-board fuel weights are currently undetermined, but are expected to not exceed 500 lb.
Because the hypersonic vehicles use a scramjet technology, engine operation requires a high-speed boost on a rocket
or from a jet aircraft. Rocket launching a hypersonic test vehicle could occur from the Vandal launch site at Pacific
Missile Range Facility and follow a similar flight trajectory as other missiles launched from Pacific Missile Range
Facility. For example, a two-stage Terrier-Orion sounding rocket could be used to boost the hypersonic vehicle.
Following a launch and booster motor separation, the spent motor casings would impact in the open ocean.
Upon reaching hypersonic velocities at altitudes in excess of 50,000 ft, the test vehicle would continue on a predesignated
flight trajectory under its own scramjet power, before making a controlled splashdown into the open
ocean. For flight insertion using a jet aircraft, such as an F-15, the test vehicle would be attached under the aircraft at
Pacific Missile Range Facility. Following takeoff, and upon reaching an appropriate altitude and velocity over the
Temporary Operating Area, the test vehicle would be released from the aircraft. With engine ignition, the hypersonic
test vehicle would climb to an appropriate cruising altitude before making a controlled splashdown into the open
ocean.
The hypersonic vehicle flight tests would serve to demonstrate flight performance and flight worthiness. Testing
would only occur in areas cleared of non-mission essential aircraft and vessels, and away from populated areas. In
support of test operations at Pacific Missile Range Facility, no new facilities would be needed.
1.4 Mitigation Measures Proposed by the U.S. Navy
As required to satisfy the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, the U.S. Navy
proposes to implement measures that would allow their training activities to have the least practicable adverse
impact on marine mammal species or stocks (which includes considerations of personnel safety, practicality of
implementation, and impact on the effectiveness of the “military readiness activity”). Those measures are
summarized in this section of this <strong>Opinion</strong>; for a complete description of all of the measures applicable to the
proposed exercises, readers should refer to the U.S. Navy’s request for a letter of authorization and the Permit
Division’s regulations:
1.0 Measures Applicable to Hull-Mounted Surface and Submarine Active Sonar.
1.1 Personnel Training
1.1.1 All lookouts onboard platforms involved in ASW training events will review the <strong>NMFS</strong>
approved MSAT material prior to MFAS use.
1.1.2 All Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, and officers standing watch on the Bridge
will have reviewed the MSAT material prior to a training event employing the use of
MFAS.
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