Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Intercept Flight Test
May 9, 2012 - Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic
Missile Defense System Completes Successful Intercept
Flight Test The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S.
Navy sailors aboard the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70)
successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the
first intercept of a short-range ballistic missile
target over the Pacific Ocean by the Navy's newest
Missile Defense interceptor, the Standard Missile – 3
(SM-3) Block 1B.
Missile Defense
Agency video by Ben Listerman
Flight Test Sequence...
At 8:18 p.m. Hawaiian Standard
Time (2:18 a.m. EDT May 10) the target missile was
launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility,
located on Kauai, Hawaii. The target flew on a
northwesterly trajectory towards a broad ocean area of
the Pacific Ocean. Following target launch, the USS LAKE
ERIE detected and tracked the missile with its onboard
AN/SPY-1 radar. The ship, equipped with the
second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system,
developed a fire control solution and launched the
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB interceptor. The USS
LAKE ERIE continued to track the target and sent
trajectory information to the SM-3 Block IB interceptor
in-flight. The SM-3 maneuvered to a point in space, as
designated by the fire control solution, and released
its kinetic warhead. The kinetic warhead acquired the
target, diverted into its path, and, using only the
force of a direct impact, engaged and destroyed the
threat in a hit-to-kill intercept. Today's event,
designated Flight Test Standard Missile-16 (FTM-16)
Event 2a, was the first successful live fire intercept
test of the SM-3 Block IB interceptor and the
second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system.
Previous successful intercepts were conducted with the
Aegis BMD 3.6.1 weapon system and the SM-3 Block IA
interceptor, which are currently operational on U.S.
Navy ships deployed across the globe. Aegis BMD 4.0.1
and the SM-3 Block IB interceptor improve the system's
ability to engage increasingly longer range and more
sophisticated ballistic missiles that may be launched in
larger raid sizes. The SM-3 Block IB interceptor
features a two-color infrared seeker, which improves
sensitivity for longer-range target acquisition and
high-speed processing for target discrimination. The
SM-3 Block IB interceptor also features an upgraded
onboard signal processor and a more flexible
throttleable divert and attitude control system to
maneuver the IB interceptor to intercept. Initial
indications are that all components performed as
designed. Program officials will conduct an extensive
assessment and evaluation of system performance based
upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.
FTM-16 Event 2a is the 22nd successful intercept in 27
flight test attempts for the Aegis BMD program. Across
all Ballistic Missile Defense System programs, this is
the 53rd successful hit-to-kill intercept in 67 flight
test attempts since 2001. Aegis BMD is the sea-based
midcourse component of the MDA's Ballistic Missile
Defense System and is designed to intercept and destroy
short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
The MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis
BMD Program. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U. S.
Navy sailors aboard the USS LAKE ERIE successfully
conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile
Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the intercept of a
short-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific
Ocean.
Second-Generation Aegis
