Successful AEGIS BMD Shot

An SM-3 launched from the USS DECATUR (DDG 73) successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target with a separating warhead* late yesterday in a test off Hawaii.  Participating in the test were the USS PORT ROYAL and for the first time, a NATO partner, Spain, with the Aegis-equipped frigate Mendez Nunez (F-104).  This was the 9th successful intercept (out of 11 total) for the AEGIS system and represented several firsts:

• The first ballistic missile intercept conducted by an Aegis BMD destroyer

• The first integration demonstration with THAAD in a live-fire environment.  USS Port Royal exchanged tracking data with a ground- based Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system ashore. THAAD is designed to engage ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight. The Aegis BMD-THAAD link verified interoperability of systems and sensors in the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The MDA and the U.S. Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Currently, seven U.S. Navy Aegis-equipped warships have the ability to conduct long range search and track and engage ballistic missiles. Another nine Aegis warships are equipped with Aegis BMD Long Range Surveillance&Track capability. Ultimately 15 Aegis destroyers and three Aegis cruisers will be outfitted with the ability to engage short to intermediate range ballistic missile threats and support other BMDS engagements using the Aegis BMD Weapon System and the SM-3. Japan has purchased Aegis BMD capability for their Aegis destroyers and is a partner developing a larger, faster, and more capable variant of the SM-3.

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* A separating warhead is one where the RV is detached from the final stage which both replicates real world threats and increases the challenge for target discrimination for Hit-to-Kill interceptors.  Add penetration aids like chaff, balloons and decoys and the challenge correspondingly rises.