(Source: US Naval Sea Systems Command; issued July 2, 2004)

PORT HUENEME, Calif. --- NAVSEA Warfare Center, Port Hueneme (PH) personnel helped lead the execution of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Scenario Certification, Mission Control Panel, and Mission Readiness Review (MRR) for Pacific Explorer III.

These required Test and Evaluation (T&E) meetings, held prior to any mission execution, were conducted at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Center in San Diego, Calif. on June 3, 2004 and in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on June 29, 2004. PH personnel presented the Navy’s T&E execution status in support of Pacific Explorer III and details related to the campaign’s extensive set of interoperability objectives.

Pacific Explorer III is an Aegis BMD sponsored event taking place July 16 and 18, 2004 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), in conjunction with the Third Fleet Commander’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise. One 2000 km Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle-Extended Range (ARAV-ER) missile (constructed/managed by PH, White Sands Detachment personnel) will be launched on July 16th, and another on July 18th, outbound from PMRF in a long-range ballistic trajectory.

One Initial Defensive Operations Aegis BMD Destroyer and one Aegis BMD Cruiser have been formally tasked to participate. The destroyer will pass live space tracks of the ARAV-ER back via Satellite TADIL-J to SPAWAR System Center San Diego, the Regional Joint Range Extension (JRE), and other Fleet assets.

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) is participating using the GMD Fire Control (GFC) Engineering Node to receive tracks via the Regional JRE. The two ships will pass Missile Launch points to an E-2C to vector in strike aircraft for Simulated Attack Operations.

Simultaneous live Anti-Air Warfare firings against cruise missile targets will also occur on the PMRF. An intelligence overlay will be applied to Pacific Explorer III, providing the ships with a no-notice launch window for the ARAV-ERs. After the campaign, Aegis BMD data will be further analyzed for its applicability in supporting a GFC Weapon Task Plan in support of homeland defense.

NAVSEA Warfare Center Port Hueneme is responsible for the overall detailed mission planning and execution of Pacific Explorer III, including accomplishment of at-sea engineering and interoperability test objectives. The Pacific Explorer III Scenario Certification/MCP panel certified the Aegis BMD scenario for the campaign, and after the MRR has given permission for the T&E Team to continue into the next stages of mission execution.

I think this will be a significant milestone for the program. This is not just another staged test, but rather a test to see if the BMD will work successfully in a fleet environment. I especially like the fact that they will be simultaneously tasked with shooting down cruise missiles.

As we saw during OIF, the combination of cruise missiles and ballistic missiles are a very valid threat. They are the modern equivalent of the dive bomber/torpedo bomber combination of WW2. If a ship is only able to respond to one such threat, then they are left vulnerable to the other threat. By ensuring that both can be engaged at the same time, the Navy is ensuring that we will be ready for all threats.

I especially like the fact they will be coordinating with air assets. Again, this is a crucial part of the equation. Not only must we be able to defend against these threats, we must also have a way to quickly neutralize them once they fire. The faster we can get ordnance on target, the less likely the enemy is to get away. And that is definitely a good thing.

quote:

---

Originally posted by bubbabink70:
...I especially like the fact that they will be simultaneously tasked with shooting down cruise missiles.

...By ensuring that both can be engaged at the same time, the Navy is ensuring that we will be ready for all threats.

---

Especially those threats one might find during a conflict in and around the Taiwan Strait.

Are ballistic missiles significantly different from airplanes, in terms of shooting them down? Is the existing AEGIS system in combination with ESSM or even SeaRAM incapable of handling such a threat?

They are a good deal different. While they are easy to track due to their ballistic flight paths, their speed makes them rather difficult to intercept, especially early in the flight path. This speed makes them nearly impossible to destroy using the current generation of missiles. As was seen during DS when Iraq started lobbing scuds into Isreal, if a missile is hit towards the end of its flight, it can still do a good deal of damage. So you have to hit the missile while there is still time for the debris to scatter.

That makes sense. Thanks.

Raytheon Delivers First SM-3s for Aegis

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued Dec. 21, 2004)

TUCSON, Ariz. --- Raytheon Company has delivered five STANDARD Missile-3 rounds to the Missile Defense Agency for deployment as a key element of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The rounds are available for deployment on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight or for flight testing.

Raytheon marked the first SM-3 delivery with a ceremony in Tucson on Oct. 22.

"Raytheon's deliveries of these STANDARD Missile-3s will help provide the United States with the first sea-based line of defense against a limited ballistic missile attack," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon's vice president for Naval Weapon Systems. "Our team is very proud of developing and delivering this needed capability."

As the prime contractor, Raytheon is responsible for the development and integration of the SM-3 "all up round," including the SM-3 kinetic warhead. Other SM-3 team members include Aerojet, Alliant Techsystems and The Boeing Company.

Since January 2002, the Aegis BMD system has successfully intercepted targets in space four times with SM-3. In all the flight tests, the SM-3 was launched from a U.S. Navy cruiser under very realistic, operational conditions.

There is already international interest in Aegis BMD and SM-3. Japan made the decision earlier this year to procure Aegis BMD and SM-3 missiles for its Kongo-class Aegis destroyers.

Raytheon is also responsible for the manufacture and deployment of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program and is the interceptor lead for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor program. Raytheon is also providing the Sea-Based X-band radar and Upgraded Early Warning Radar for the GMD segment, the Space Tracking and Surveillance System payload, the Ballistic Missile Defense System radar, and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) radar and battle management software.

Aside from the obvious military benefits this missile brings to the fleet, there are fairly significant political ramifications as well.

For example, when nuclear armed India and nuclear armed Pakistan came to the brink of war a few years back after Islamic terrorists set off a bomb in the Indian Parliament, a US fleet could shoot down any missiles fired by either country against the other (within range) or it could shoot down only the missiles fired by one particular country against the other.

Similarly, a US Fleet in the Med, Black Sea or Persian Gulf could shoot down Iranian nuclear missiles aimed at European or Middle Eastern targets. Or not. Depending on how we feel about the intended recipients.

Aegis BMD Passes Land-Based Tests

Lockheed Martin Completes Testing of Aegis BMD Initial Engagement Capability

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Jan. 10, 2005)

MOORESTOWN, N.J. --- Lockheed Martin successfully completed land-based testing of the first deployable Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) engagement capability. This marks a significant milestone toward an initial, sea-based capability to defend the United States, deployed forces and allies from the threat of short- and medium-range ballistic missile attack.

The testing of Aegis BMD initial engagement capability, which focused on integrating the ballistic missile intercept mission with the long-range surveillance and tracking capability fielded in September 2004, was conducted at the Combat System Engineering Development Site in Moorestown, NJ. Spanning several months, the testing culminated in December with an Engineering Assessment showing the effectiveness of equipment and software modifications to the Aegis Combat System supporting the Aegis BMD engagement capability.

Two Aegis cruisers will be outfitted with this capability during the next year. These ships will be used for BMD system testing. However, they could be deployed, if directed, in response to a national security crisis prior to completion of full deployment engagement capability testing in 2006.

The Aegis Combat System - in particular its SPY-1 radar, associated command, control, and communication systems, weapons control system, and its Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) - will provide the capability to detect, track, characterize and engage short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

The U.S. Navy and MDA are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The MDA and the U.S. Navy will ultimately outfit 15 Aegis destroyers and three Aegis cruisers with the capability to engage ballistic missiles with an SM-3.

It seems to me that tying down a Burke class DDG to do this is a terrible waste of a valuable asset.

What they need is a barge with an aegis system. Well, maybe not a barge, but it doesn't need to be fast or have the other capabilities of a destroyer or a cruiser.

Lockheed Martin-MDA-U.S. Navy Aegis BMD Weapon System Guides Missile to Target Intercept

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Feb. 24, 2005)

KAUAI, Hawaii --- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System with its Standard Missile (SM)-3 successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target outside the earth's atmosphere during its descent phase of flight today.

The Aegis Weapon System, aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), and range sensors confirmed a direct hit of the missile target over the Pacific Ocean. Lockheed Martin develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System and serves as the Combat System Engineering Agent for Aegis BMD. Raytheon Company develops the SM-3.

In addition to USS Lake Erie, the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) participated in today's test. A new Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Signal Processor (Aegis BSP), installed on the destroyer, conducted real-time detection, tracking and discrimination of the target, as well as analysis of target interception. This is the first time the Aegis BSP was used in an at- sea flight test mission.

This test, Flight Test Mission 04-1, marks the fifth time the Lockheed Martin Aegis BMD Weapon System successfully guided its SM-3 to a ballistic missile target intercept. The test was sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency.

"This was another extraordinary achievement for the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin's Maritime Systems & Sensors business unit. "The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense team is committed to successfully completing each milestone, and has once again proven the surveillance, tracking and fire control capability of the Aegis BMD Weapon System to meet every new challenge."

The Aegis Weapon System is the world's premier naval surface defense system and is the basis for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States' Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and the SM-3 missile with its own command and control system. It is capable of simultaneous operation defending against advanced air, surface, subsurface and ballistic missile threats.

Currently, Aegis Weapon System capabilities are on 68 U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers on station around the world. Plans are currently underway to install the system on an additional 18 U.S. Navy destroyers. In addition to the U.S., Aegis is the weapon system of choice for Japan, Korea, Norway and Spain. Recently, Australia selected Aegis for its new Air Warfare Destroyer program.

------------------------

Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Intercepts Target in Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Test

(Source: Raytheon Company; issued Feb. 24, 2005)

PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii --- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System and Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) destroyed a ballistic missile outside the earth's atmosphere during an Aegis BMD Program flight test over the Pacific Ocean. Raytheon Company develops the SM-3. Lockheed Martin develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System.

The Feb. 24 mission -- the fifth successful intercept for SM-3 -- was the first firing of the Aegis BMD "Emergency Deployment" capability using operational versions of the SM-3 Block I missile and Aegis BMD Weapon System. This was also the first test to exercise SM-3's third stage rocket motor (TSRM) single-pulse mode. The TSRM has two pulses, which can be ignited independently, providing expansion of the ballistic missile engagement battlespace.

The SM-3 was launched from the Aegis BMD cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and hit a target missile that had been launched from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii.

"This successful flight test demonstrates the tactical, operational capability of SM-3 and the Aegis BMD Weapon System in real-world conditions," said Edward Miyashiro, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president, Naval Weapon Systems. "Successes like we've seen today provide decision makers the confidence to proceed with deploying in quantity, providing the Nation with a robust capability that will defend the U.S., deployed American forces, our friends and our allies. Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is for real."

Japan has made decision to procure Aegis BMD with SM-3 for its Kongo class ships.

Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is developing SM-3 and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems, Aerojet, and The Boeing Company, which are providing major subsystems. Lockheed Martin developed the Aegis BMD Weapon System. Raytheon delivered five SM-3 operational rounds to the Missile Defense Agency in 2004. The program is transitioning to production, with Kinetic Warhead seeker and final integration occurring in Raytheon's state-of-the-art Kill Vehicle manufacturing facility, alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle. Final assembly and test will occur in Camden, Ark.


BACKGROUND NOTES:

Raytheon's hit-to-kill successes with the sea-based STANDARD Missile-3 occurred on Jan. 25, June 13 and Nov. 21, 2002, and Dec. 11, 2003; and with the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, part of the Ground-based Missile Defense program on Oct. 2, 1999; July 13 and Dec. 3, 2001; and March 15 and Oct. 14, 2002.

CSC, MDA and U.S. Navy Aegis BMD Weapon System Guides Missile to Target Intercept

(Source: Computer Sciences Corporation; issued March 3, 2005)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System with the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target outside the earth's atmosphere during its descent phase of flight today.

The weapon system, aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG70), and range sensors confirmed a direct hit of the missile target over the Pacific Ocean. Computer Sciences Corporation develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System software as Lockheed Martin's key team member. Raytheon Corporation develops the SM-3.

In addition to the USS Lake Erie, the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) participated in today's test. A new Aegis BMD Signal Processor (Aegis BSP) installed on the destroyer conducted real-time detection, tracking and discrimination of the target, as well as analysis of target interception. This is the first time the Aegis BSP was used in an at-sea flight test mission.

This test, Flight Test Mission 04-1, marks the fifth time the CSC Aegis BMD Weapon System software successfully guided the SM-3 to a ballistic missile target intercept. The test was sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

"This is tangible evidence of the engineering excellence that is bringing missile defense capability to the nation through the MDA and the U.S. Navy," said Aaron Fuller, president of CSC's Defense Mission Engineering and Integration Division. "The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense team continues to complete each milestone. The surveillance, tracking and fire control capability of the Aegis BMD Weapon System is making missile defense real."

The Aegis Weapon System is the world's premier naval surface defense system and is the basis for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States' Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and the SM-3 missile with its own command and control system. It is capable of simultaneous operation defending against advanced air, surface, subsurface and ballistic missile threats.

Currently, Aegis Weapons System capabilities are on 68 U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers on station around the world. Plans are currently underway to install the system on an additional 18 U.S. Navy destroyers. In addition to the U.S., Aegis is the weapon system of choice for Japan, Korea, Norway and Spain. Recently Australia selected Aegis for its new Air Warfare Destroyer program.

Aegis Weapon System Successful In Ballistic Missile Tracking Exercise

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 3, 2005)

MOORESTOWN, NJ --- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System successfully detected and tracked an unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Aegis detected the missile when it rose above the horizon and immediately began BMD tracking operations. Lockheed Martin develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System for the U.S. Navy and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and also serves as the Combat System Engineering Agent.

Sailors from USS Russell (DDG 59) also used the Aegis BMD Weapon System to successfully transmit Minuteman III trajectory data via satellite through the Ballistic Missile Defense Communications System to the Ballistic Missile Defense command and control center at the Joint National Integration Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

"This was another extraordinary achievement for the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy," said Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors. "Today's successful exercise demonstrates yet again the importance of the Aegis BMD Weapon System to the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System."

The MDA and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Ultimately 15 Aegis destroyers and three Aegis cruisers will be outfitted with the capability to conduct Long Range Surveillance and Tracking (LRS&T) and engagement of short and medium range ballistic missile threats using the Aegis BMD Weapon System and its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3). To date, eight Aegis destroyers have been upgraded with the LRS&T capability and two Aegis cruisers have been outfitted with the emergency engagement and LRS&T capability.

The Aegis Weapon System is the world's premier naval surface defense system and is the foundation for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States' BMDS. The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System and the SM-3 missile with its own command and control system. It is capable of simultaneously defending against multiple advanced air, surface, subsurface and ballistic missile threats. The Aegis BMD Weapon System also integrates with the BMDS, providing cueing information to other BMDS elements.

Sweet

...[follow-up]...


Aegis Weapon System Tracks Advanced, Separating Ballistic Missile Target

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Oct. 4, 2005)

KAUAI, Hawaii --- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System with its prototype Aegis BMD Signal Processor (Aegis BSP) successfully tracked an advanced ballistic missile target. This test was the second at-sea tracking event for the Aegis BSP. Lockheed Martin develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System and serves as the Combat System Engineering Agent for Aegis BMD.

The Aegis SPY-1D radar aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59), augmented by the BSP, provided real-time detection, tracking and discrimination performance against a threat-representative target with a separating re-entry vehicle and countermeasures.

The test, which took place off the coast of Hawaii, was part of the Critical Measurements and Counter-Measurements Program. The program is an integral part of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA's) test process and provides participants with the ability to reduce technical risk by testing against stressing, complex target scenarios in a controlled environment.

Sea-based missile defense test called a success

LINK

WASHINGTON (AFP) - An interceptor missile fired from a US Navy cruiser shot down a mock warhead over the Pacific after it had separated from a medium-range missile, the US military said.

It was the sixth successful intercept in seven attempts since the tests of the sea-based missile defense system began in 2002, the Missile Defense Agency said.

The sea-based system is designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range missiles with interceptor missiles fired from Aegis warships.

The United States is developing a separate ground-based system in Alaska and California to intercept long-range missiles.

Thursday's test was the first to intercept a target warhead that had separated from its launcher, a medium-range missile. In previous tests, the target was a Scud-like missile tipped with a mock warhead.

The warhead was launched atop the medium-range missile from a facility in Kauai, Hawaii at 1812 GMT, and four minutes later the USS Lake Erie, an Aegis cruiser, fired an SM-3 interceptor missile at it, the MDA said.

"Six minutes later the interceptor missile successfully intercepted the target warhead more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) in space above the Pacific Ocean and 375 miles (6-4 kilometers) northwest of Kauai," the MDA said.

It said the interceptor missile collided directly with the warhead, destroying it.

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Flight Test Successful

(Source: US Missile Defense Agency issued March 8, 2006)

Air Force Lieutenant General Henry “Trey” Obering III announced that the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the Japan Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy, today successfully completed a cooperative flight test mission.

This flight test mission, entitled Joint Control Test Vehicle-1 (JCTV-1), demonstrated the performance of an SM-3 missile that has been modified with a Japan-designed advanced nosecone and the Aegis BMD Weapon System. In previous Aegis BMD flight test missions, the SM-3 missile maneuvered to eject the nosecone before deploying the kinetic warhead to intercept the target. With the modified configuration, the nosecone opens like a clamshell without any missile maneuvers.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. (HST), 3:45 p.m. (EST) a simulated target was entered into the Aegis BMD Weapon System onboard the USS Lake Erie (CG 70). Based on the simulated target, the ship developed a fire control solution.

At approximately 10:47 a.m. (HST), 3:47 p.m. (EST), the Lake Erie’s crew launched the modified SM-3. The Aegis BMD Weapon System guided the SM-3 through its first, second, and third stages. At 10:48 a.m. (HST), 3:48 p.m. (EST), after completion of the third stage’s burn, the advanced design nosecone was deployed at approximately 55 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 60 miles northwest of Kauai.

For the JCTV-1 flight test mission, the kinetic warhead of the SM-3 missile was replaced with an instrumentation / telemetry package (ITP). The ITP recorded temperature and shock readings during the flight test mission and its cameras viewed the separation of the clamshell nosecone.

This flight test mission is part of the U.S.-Japan Joint Cooperative Research Project that began in August 1999. The objectives of the project are to perform research on advanced components of the SM-3 missile. This flight test mission is an important milestone in the project and is an example of the close coordination between the U.S. and Japan in ballistic missile defense.

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 (CSEA) and 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 SM-3 missile and all previous variants of Standard Missile.

-ends-

Bgile brings up a good point and the focus of much discussion these days.

IS BMD a Navy Mission?? Thoughts.

Aegis Missile Defense Upgrade Passes Tests

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued April 4, 2006)

MOORESTOWN, NJ. --- Lockheed Martin announced the successful completion of land-based testing for the next enhancement to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System. Completion of this testing is a key milestone to provide tactically certified capability to engage short and medium range ballistic missiles on all Aegis BMD ships.

The upgraded Weapon System enhances the ballistic missile defense capabilities of the current Aegis BMD fleet, adds capability in other warfare areas and brings the BMD mission to additional destroyers and cruisers. Aegis BMD has been operational since September 2004 providing Long Range Surveillance & Tracking (LRS&T) for the initial Limited Defensive Capability of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), and providing an initial emergency capability to engage short and medium range ballistic missiles since early 2005.

The testing was conducted in late February at the Navy's Combat System Engineering Development Site in Moorestown with Navy personnel operating the system. Testing verified that the system met all engagement, LRS&T, and multi-warfare mission requirements, using simulated interfaces with ground-based midcourse and other elements of the BMDS.

"The ability to continually enhance and field capabilities for Aegis BMD is a hallmark of the Aegis program: it always paces the threat," said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Surface-SBMD line of business. "As this test demonstrated through the participation of our local U.S. Navy Aegis technical representative, the sailors who will operate the Aegis Combat System play a key part in its assessment before the systems are fielded."

The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the BMDS. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor and combat system engineering agent for the Aegis Combat System and Aegis BMD Weapon System.

Ultimately 15 U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers and three Aegis cruisers will be outfitted with the capability to engage short to medium range ballistic missile threats and to conduct LRS&T.

The Aegis Weapon System is the world's premier naval surface defense system and is the foundation for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the BMDS. Aegis BMD seamlessly integrates new capabilities of the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System and adds the SM-3 missile into the existing Aegis Weapon System's command and control system. Aegis BMD also is integrated with BMDS, receiving cues from and providing cueing information to other BMDS elements.

The Aegis Weapon System is currently deployed on more than 77 ships around the globe with more than 25 additional ships planned or under contract. In addition to the U.S., Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for Australia, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Spain.

First at-Sea Demonstration of Sea-Based Terminal Capability Successfully Completed

(Source: US Missile Defense Agency; issued May 26, 2006)

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. Navy, in cooperation with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), successfully conducted a ballistic missile defense (BMD) demonstration May 24 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 a direct body-to-body hit between the interceptor and the threat or 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 this 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 Adm. 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, 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 Lt. Gen. 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. 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 six intercepts in seven flight tests."

Both the SM-2 Block IV and the SM-3 were developed by the Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz.

The Aegis Weapon System, the basis of the weapon system used in this test and in Aegis BMD ships, was developed by Lockheed Martin of Moorestown, N.J.

-ends-


---------------------------------------


Raytheon Wins $424M for Missile Defense

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued May 26, 2006)

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a cost-plus-award fee contract modification for the continued systems engineering, design, development, fabrication, and testing of Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA and IB Missiles for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program.

The total estimated value of the contract modification is $424,019,656. The work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. and is expected to be complete by 14 May, 2008. None of the funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity (N00024-03-C-6111).

-ends-