http://www.defpro.com/news/details/11298/
Missile Defense Agency
November 17, 2009
Second Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Successfully Completes
Target Tracking Exercises
-The USS Lake Erie detected and tracked the target missile using Aegis 4.0.1
and transmitted track data to the BMDS. Several fire control, discrimination,
kill assessment, and reengagement decision functions were exercised. These
events also demonstrated Aegis BMD’s ability to perform two-way acquisition and
tracking data exchange with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
-The Aegis BMD system, using the SM-3 missile, is the sea-based, midcourse
defense component of the BMDS and is cooperatively managed by MDA and the U.S.
Navy. As part of the overall BMDS architecture, it contributes to an
integrated, layered defense of the United States, our deployed forces, allies
and friends against ballistic missile threats of all ranges, in all phases of
flight.
In conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Pacific Fleet ships
and crews successfully completed a series of exercises to test the second
generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) weapon system, Aegis BMD
4.0.1.
This set of four exercises, designated FTX-06 Events 1-4, involved the tracking
and simulated engagements of a variety of ballistic missile targets launched
over the past several months from the Kauai Test Facility, co-located on the
Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai. The Aegis BMD
system is a critical component of the nation’s overall Ballistic Missile
Defense System (BMDS).
FTX-06 Event 1, conducted on July 30, involved the launch of a short-range
ballistic missile target and simulated engagements by three participating Aegis
BMD ships. One of these ships, the USS Lake Erie, is equipped with Aegis BMD
4.0.1. For the first time, the USS Lake Erie used this advanced system during a
live firing to evaluate all fire control functions, including launch of a
simulated SM-3 Block IB missile.
FTX-06 Events 2 and 3 were conducted October 16. Each event involved the launch
of a short-range separating ballistic missile target. The USS Lake Erie
detected and tracked the target missile using Aegis 4.0.1 and transmitted track
data to the BMDS. Several fire control, discrimination, kill assessment, and
reengagement decision functions were exercised. These events also demonstrated
Aegis BMD’s ability to perform two-way acquisition and tracking data exchange
with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
FTX-06 Event 4 was held November 5, and involved a simulated engagement of a
separating ballistic missile target by the USS Lake Erie. This was the first
flight of the new Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle-C (ARAV-C) target. Data
was collected to support future modeling and performance predictions for
increasingly complex engagements by Aegis BMD 4.01.
Tracking and simulated engagement exercises such as FTX-06 are a typical step
in the evaluation of any advancement in the missile defense system. The USS
Lake Erie is scheduled to fire the new SM-3 Block IB missile using this
advanced weapon system in FY 2011. This second generation Aegis BMD system
brings capability to engage increasingly longer range and more sophisticated
ballistic missiles.
The Aegis BMD system, using the SM-3 missile, is the sea-based, midcourse
defense component of the BMDS and is cooperatively managed by MDA and the U.S.
Navy. As part of the overall BMDS architecture, it contributes to an
integrated, layered defense of the United States, our deployed forces, allies
and friends against ballistic missile threats of all ranges, in all phases of
flight.
Company or Organisation Portrait:
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a research, development, and acquisition
agency within the Department of Defense. Our workforce includes government
civilians, military service members, and contractor personnel in multiple
locations across the United States. We are focused on retaining and recruiting
a dedicated workforce interested in supporting our national security.
As we develop, test, and field an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System
(BMDS), the MDA works closely with the Combatant Commanders (e.g. Pacific
Command, Northern Command, etc.) who will rely on the system to protect the
United States, our forward deployed forces, and our friends and allies from
hostile ballistic missile attack. We work with the Combatant Commanders to
ensure that we develop a robust BMDS technology and development program to
address the challenges of an evolving threat. We are also steadily increasing
our international cooperation by supporting mutual security interests in
missile defense.
The MDA is committed to maximizing the mission assurance and cost effectiveness
of our management and operations through continuous process improvement.
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