Test Marks Fifth Successful Intercept for Aegis BMD Team

MISSILE DEFENSE

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.

El Segundo CA (SPX) Mar 07, 2005
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 test last Thursday.

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 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 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.

MISSILE DEFENSE

ABM Pullout: The Phonecall That Soured Putin's Year. Or Did It

Moscow (AFP) Dec 25, 2001
A brief telephone call over a secret line was all it took for US President George W. Bush to inform Russian leader Vladimir Putin that he could forget all his protests about the post-Cold War order.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.