Lockheed Martin's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System today destroyed a ballistic missile target in an at-sea firing under operationally realistic conditions. The event also successfully demonstrated two new capabilities on other ships. These tests mark the continued successful engineering development of the next generational upgrade in Aegis BMD capability.The Aegis BMD system on USS HOPPER (photo) detected and tracked the ballistic missile target, and computed a targeting solution to guide an SM-3 Block IA missile to a successful exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) intercept.
Nearby on the testing range, USS LAKE ERIE tracked the ballistic missile target and the post-intercept debris with an advanced BMD signal processor. The processor provides additional target discrimination capability and is part of the new Aegis BMD baseline 4.0.1, which was installed on USS LAKE ERIE in June for testing and certification. Aegis BMD 4.0.1 builds on earlier versions of the system that are operationally certified by the U.S. Navy and deployed in the Fleet. Over the next year, USS LAKE ERIE will complete a series of tests, leading up to full operational certification of the upgraded Aegis BMD 4.0.1 system in early 2011.
Also nearby, USS O'KANE used a prototype kill assessment system and a modified Mk 99 fire control system to collect telemetry data for improved post-mission analysis. The kill assessment system provides a video link from the SM-3's kill vehicle. The video feed is combined with radar data to confirm that an intercept occurred and that the intended target was destroyed.
Immediately following the first mission, USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70) conducted another successful tracking exercise against a second ballistic missile target, while the USS HOPPER and USS O'KANE both executed simulated engagements against the target. No intercept was planned or attempted.
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the United States' Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
Source: Lockheed Martin
