Second-Generation Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Completes
Successful Intercept Flight Test

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy sailors aboard the USS
LAKE ERIE (CG 70) successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, resulting in the first intercept
of a short-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by the
Navy’s newest Missile Defense interceptor, the Standard Missile – 3
(SM-3) Block 1B.

At 8:18 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (2:18 a.m. EDT May 10) the target
missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on
Kauai, Hawaii. The target flew on a northwesterly trajectory towards a
broad ocean area of the Pacific Ocean. Following target launch, the USS
LAKE ERIE detected and tracked the missile with its onboard AN/SPY-1
radar. The ship, equipped with the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1
weapon system, developed a fire control solution and launched the
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB interceptor.

The USS LAKE ERIE continued to track the target and sent trajectory
information to the SM-3 Block IB interceptor in-flight. The SM-3
maneuvered to a point in space, as designated by the fire control
solution, and released its kinetic warhead. The kinetic warhead acquired
the target, diverted into its path, and, using only the force of a
direct impact, engaged and destroyed the threat in a hit-to-kill
intercept.

Today’s event, designated Flight Test Standard Missile-16 (FTM-16) Event
2a, was the first successful live fire intercept test of the SM-3 Block
IB interceptor and the second-generation Aegis BMD 4.0.1 weapon system.
Previous successful intercepts were conducted with the Aegis BMD 3.6.1
weapon system and the SM-3 Block IA interceptor, which are currently
operational on U.S. Navy ships deployed across the globe.

Aegis BMD 4.0.1 and the SM-3 Block IB interceptor improve the system’s
ability to engage increasingly longer range and more sophisticated
ballistic missiles that may be launched in larger raid sizes. The SM-3
Block IB interceptor features a two-color infrared seeker, which
improves sensitivity for longer-range target acquisition and high-speed
processing for target discrimination. The SM-3 Block IB interceptor also
features an upgraded onboard signal processor and a more flexible
throttleable divert and attitude control system to maneuver the IB
interceptor to intercept.

Initial indications are that all components performed as designed.
Program officials will conduct an extensive assessment and evaluation of
system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during
the test.

FTM-16 Event 2a is the 22nd successful intercept in 27 flight test
attempts for the Aegis BMD program. Across all Ballistic Missile Defense
System programs, this is the 53rd successful hit-to-kill intercept in
67 flight test attempts since 2001.

Aegis BMD is the sea-based midcourse component of the MDA's Ballistic
Missile Defense System and is designed to intercept and destroy short to
intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. The MDA and the U.S. Navy
cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD Program.The Missile Defense Agency
(MDA) and U. S. Navy sailors aboard the USS LAKE ERIE successfully
conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)
system, resulting in the intercept of a short-range ballistic missile
target over the Pacific Ocean. See http://www.mda.mil for more information.

Produced by Ben Listerman.
video from Missile Defense Agency