Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT)
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System successfully detected,
tracked and intercepted a short-range unitary ballistic missile target in
the terminal phase of its trajectory during a test today at the Pacific
Missile Range off the coast of Hawaii.
This mission was the first to use the latest version of the Aegis BMD
weapon system -- Aegis BMD 3.6.1. -- which adds to the proven sea-based
missile defense system the capability to defeat short-range ballistic
missiles, that have re-entered the atmosphere in their final stage of
flight. The system will be certified for U.S. Navy fleet operations later
this year.
In the test mission, the SPY-1B radar on the Aegis BMD cruiser USS Lake
Erie (CG 70) detected and tracked the ballistic missile target, and
computed a targeting solution to guide two SM-2 Block IV missiles to a
successful endo-atmospheric (within the atmosphere) intercept. Once the
SM-2s were launched from the ship's Lockheed Martin-developed MK-41
Vertical Launching System (VLS), Aegis guided the missiles through the
terminal phase of the intercept. The SM-2 Block IV missiles were recently
modified to perform the terminal phase endo-atmospheric intercept of a
ballistic missile.
While this event marked the first test in the Missile Defense Agency's
evaluation of Aegis BMD against a ballistic missile in its terminal phase,
this is the second Aegis success in the terminal phase. In May 2006, the
USS Lake Erie successfully intercepted a short-range ballistic missile in
its terminal phase in a Navy-sponsored test using a version of the
Linebacker Program first developed in 1998.
In addition to the terminal phase successes, Aegis BMD has 12
successful exo-atmospheric intercepts in 14 attempts in the midcourse phase
of flight. Separate from the ballistic missile defense tests, USS Lake
Erie's Aegis BMD Weapon System was temporarily modified and successfully
destroyed an errant United States satellite in February.
"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 tested today 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.
The Aegis Weapon System is currently deployed on 85 ships around the
globe with more than 20 additional ships planned or under contract. In
addition to the U.S., Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for
Japan, South Korea, Norway, Spain and Australia.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the
development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including
the first operational hit-to-kill missile defense system, Patriot Advanced
Capability-3 (PAC-3). It also has considerable experience in interceptor
systems, kill vehicles, battle management command, control and
communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar
and other sensors that enable signal processing and data fusion. The
company makes significant contributions to nearly all major U.S. Missile
Defense Systems and participates in several global missile defense
partnerships.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs more than
140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007
sales of $41.9 billion.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
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