The new system will be certified for U.S. Navy fleet operations
later this year. The SM-2 Block IV missiles were recently
modified to perform the terminal phase endo-atmospheric intercept
of a ballistic missile. In addition to the recent successful
terminal phase intercept Aegis BMD has performed 13 successful
exo-atmospheric intercepts in 15 attempts in the midcourse
and terminal phase of flight.
Ballistic missiles present different challenges during each
phase of flight, and Aegis BMD is proving its full range of
flexibility," said Orlando Carvalho, vice president of
Lockheed Martin's Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense line of
business. "That flexibility reflects the disciplined
systems engineering that invented, evolved and continues to
develop Aegis capabilities against threats yet to come. Engaging
ballistic missiles from the sea in the terminal phase is challenging
for both the Sailors who executed this mission and the weapon
system they used. Sea-Based Terminal is a critical capability
in the Aegis BMD weapon system that provides protection to
population centers, our deployed forces abroad, and critical
infrastructure."
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). Currently, 12 U.S. Navy Aegis-equipped
warships have the ability to conduct long-range search and
track, and engage ballistic missiles. Another five Aegis warships
are equipped with Aegis BMD long-range surveillance and track
capability. By the end of 2008, 15 Aegis destroyers and three
Aegis cruisers will have the capability to engage short to
intermediate-range ballistic missile threats and support other
BMDS engagements using the Aegis BMD Weapon System and the
SM-3. The Aegis BMD 3.6.1 will be installed on all U.S. Navy
Aegis BMD ships beginning in 2009. Japan has purchased Aegis
BMD capability for its Kongo-class Aegis destroyers, and completed
its first successful test of Aegis BMD in December 2007.
Defense
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