Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) direct
Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) director, announced the successful completion of the latest flight test of the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) element, conducted jointly with the U.S. Navy off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. The event, designated as Flight Test Maritime-14 (FTM-14), marked the fourteenth overall successful intercept, in sixteen attempts, for the Aegis BMD program and the second successful intercept of a terminal phase (last few seconds of flight) target by a modified Standard Missile - 2 Block IV (SM-2 Blk IV) interceptor. The mission was completed by the cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), using the tactically-certified Aegis BMD shipboard weapon system, modified for a terminal capability, and the modified SM-2 Blk IV. This is the 35th successful terminal and midcourse defense intercept in 43 tests since 2001.
Aegis BMD is the sea-based mid-course component of the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and is designed to intercept and destroy short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. In 2006, the program's role was expanded to include a sea-based terminal defense effort, using a modified version of the SM-2 Blk IV. Unlike other missile defense technologies now deployed or in development, the SM-2 Blk IV does not use "hit to kill" technology (directly colliding with the target) to destroy the target missile. Rather, it uses a blast fragmentation device that explodes in direct proximity to the target to complete the intercept and destroy the target.
At 8:13 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (2:13 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) a short range target was launched from a mobile launch platform 300 miles west of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Moments later, the USS Lake Erie's Aegis BMD Weapon System detected and tracked the target and developed fire control solutions.
Approximately four minutes later, the USS Lake Erie's crew fired two SM-2 Blk IV missiles, and two minutes later they successfully intercepted the target inside the earth's atmosphere, about 12 miles above the Pacific Ocean and about 100 miles west-northwest of Kauai.
FTM-14 test objectives included evaluation of: the BMDS ability to intercept and kill a short range ballistic missile target with the Aegis BMD, modified with the terminal mission capability; the modified SM-2 Blk IV missile using SPY-1 cue; and system-level integration of the BMDS.
MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD Program. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, New Jersey is the Combat System Engineering Agent and prime contractor for the Aegis BMD Weapon System and Vertical Launch System installed in Aegis equipped cruisers and destroyers. Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Arizona is the prime contractor for the SM-2 and SM-3 missile and all previous variants of Standard Missile. The SM-2 program is managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.
Video couresty of Raytheon Missile Systems. Approved for public release 08-MDA-3553.
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On 20 Feb 2008 HST, the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired a modified tactical Standard Missile-3
On 20 Feb 2008 HST, the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired a modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) missile at the malfunctioned spy satellite USA 193. The impact occurred at about 150 miles above the Pacific Ocean and at an impact velocity of around 22,000 mph. The Aegis Weapon System (AWS) confirmed a successful hit and rupture of the satellite's hydrazine fuel tank, tracking debris from the impact "no larger then a football".
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin. Approved for Public Release, 08-MDA-3486 (1 MAY 08).
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Documentary Part 2 "Firing Mission": The first successful multiple simultaneous engagement
Documentary Part 2 "Firing Mission": The first successful multiple simultaneous engagement invovling two short range ballistic missiles (SRBMs). The USS Lake Erie (CG-70) successfully detected and tracked two unitary "non-separating" targets launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) with the Aegis BMD 3.6 weapon system, firing two Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Blk IA missiles for two successful intercepts outside the earth's atmosphere. A Japanese destroyer, the JS Kongo, also participated in the flight test perfroming long range surveillance and tracking. The Kongo used the test as a training excersice in preparation for the first ballistic missile intercept test by a Japanese ship in December 2007.
This marked the 10th & 11th successful intercepts of a ballistic missile by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. This also marked the fourth time an allied military unit participated in a U.S. Aegis
BMD test.
Video couresty of Lockheed Martin. Approved for public release 07-MDA-3173 (23 Jan 08).
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(Japanese Narration) The first successful intercept of a medium range ballistic missiles (
(Japanese Narration) The first successful intercept of a medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM) by an allied Navy ship. The JS Kongo (DDG-173) successfully detected, tracked and engaged the "separating" target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) with the Aegis BMD weapon system, firing the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Blk IA missile for a successful intercepts outside the earth's atmosphere. JFTM-1 was the first time that a Japanese ship was designated to launch the interceptor missile, a major milestone in the growing cooperation
between Japan and the U.S. Previous participation had been limited to tracking and communications exercises.
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Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry "Trey" Obering, director of the Missile Defense Agency, announced
Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry "Trey" Obering, director of the Missile Defense Agency, announced today that an interceptor missile launched from the U.S. Navy Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie successfully intercepted and destroyed a short-range target missile launched from the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This is the fifth successful intercept in six tests.
This test marked the first use of an operationally configured Standard Missile 3 interceptor, and is designed to intercept and destroy short to intermediate range ballistic missiles. The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is an integral part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System now being developed, tested and fielded by the Missile Defense Agency as part of a "layered" missile defense designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles of all ranges—short, medium, intermediate and long-range—during any phase of their flight.
The target missile was launched from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai at 11:03 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (4:03 p.m. Eastern Standard Time). About one minute later the USS Lake Erie launched the Standard Missile 3 from its patrol area located more than 100 miles from Kauai, and the intercept was achieved about two minutes after the interceptor was launched.
The USS Lake Erie detected, then tracked the target and developed a fire control solution and launched the Standard Missile 3. The interceptor missile tracked successfully to put itself into the path of the incoming target missile, and collided directly with the missile using only the force of the collision to demonstrate "hit to kill" technology. This is the same technology used successfully in the development of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system designed to intercept and destroy long-range missiles, and also used by the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor missile system developed by the Missile Defense Agency and now operational with the U.S. Army.
The USS Russell, a U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer, also participated and was configured with the Ballistic Missile Defense Signal Processor (BSP) 1.0 in support of Block 2006 risk reduction activities. BSP 1.0 provides a real-time S-Band radar discrimination capability through Medium Band and Synthetic Wide Band signal processing with improved target feature extraction and classification through the use of advanced algorithms, providing precision handover of the tracked object for increased probability of engagement success.
In an additional collateral test, the Standard Missile 3's advanced two-color Infrared Seeker, carried in the Missile Defense Agency's airborne sensor testbed aircraft, detected and tracked the target, collecting data to support a future upgrade to Standard Missile 3. Along with the BSP, this infrared seeker will provide Aegis Ballistic Missile defense and the Ballistic Missile Defense system with significant capability against advanced threats.
Extensive post-test data will be evaluated to determine system performance, validate operational capability and identify potential modifications to the system to improve performance.
The system's Long Range Surveillance and Track capability now aboard the USS Lake Erie is essentially the same as that already installed on several Aegis destroyers attached to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The Aegis Weapon System, the basis for the sea-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, is currently deployed on 68 U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers, with 18 more ships currently planned. Aegis is also the primary weapon system on the Japanese Kongo-class destroyers, and is part of two European ship construction programs -- the Spanish F-100 and the Norwegian New Frigate. Also, the Republic of Korea is now building three Aegis-equipped destroyers, and Australia recently selected the Aegis Weapon System for its Air Warfare Destroyer program.
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, New Jersey is the prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Vertical Launch System installed in Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers. Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Arizona is the prime contractor for the Standard Missile 3.
Courtesy of Raytheon Missile Systems. Release for public on 24 February 2005. 05-NEWS-0008
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The U.S. Navy, in cooperation with the Missile Defense Agency, today successfully conducte
The U.S. Navy, in cooperation with the Missile Defense Agency, today successfully conducted a ballistic missile defense demonstration involving the intercept of a target missile in the terminal phase (the last few seconds) of flight. The test involved an Aegis cruiser modified to detect, control and engage a ballistic missile target with a modified Standard Missile - 2 (SM-2) Block IV. The Pearl Harbor-based Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) conducted the mission against a short-range target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. It was the first sea-based intercept of a ballistic missile in its terminal phase.
The modified Aegis Weapon System and the modified SM-2 Block IV provided the firing ship the capability to guide the missile to achieve either; 1) a direct body to body hit between the interceptor and the threat or, 2) a near-direct hit where the high pressure, heat and fragments are placed on the threat by a blast fragmentation warhead. This warhead is similar in concept to that used in the deployed Israeli Arrow system. In today's test, the threat missile was completely destroyed by the combined effects of these two mechanisms.
"This is another example of the ongoing cooperative spirit between the Navy and the Missile Defense Agency," said Rear Admiral Barry McCullough, Director, Surface Warfare, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
"We believe it is an important step towards the desired end-state of a robust sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense capability," McCullough added, "and it begins to meet an immediate near-term concern of our Combatant Commanders." "The only terminal phase program we currently have that is operational is the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3)," he added, "and considerations to put those aboard ships are still under review."
There is currently no sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense capability. The Navy Area Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) Program, had been under development, but was terminated in December 2001. In ballistic missile defense, the modified Aegis Weapon System, with a modified SM-2 Block IV missile provides a near term, limited emergency capability against a very specific segment of the ballistic missile threat. The Navy and MDA consider it vital to develop a more robust capability for terminal ballistic missile defense of the joint sea base and friendly force embarkation points ashore.
"There is a significant number of SM-2 Block IV missiles available, which may be modified and deployed on Navy ships modified to perform a BMD mission," said Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director. "While talking with the Navy and the Combatant Commanders, on how and when, we might be able to make that happen," Lieutenant General Obering added, "MDA will continue to improve its development of the midcourse Aegis sea-based ballistic missile defense capability, which utilizes the Standard Missile -- 3 (SM-3), and has successfully achieved 6 intercepts in 7 flight tests."
Both the SM-2 Block IV and the SM-3 were developed by the Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Arizona. The Aegis Weapon System, the basis of the weapon system used today and in Aegis BMD ships, was developed by Lockheed Martin of Moorestown, New Jersey.
Approved for Public Release 15 Sep 2006 (06-MDA-1787). 06-FYI-0079
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