Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
2014
Jan. 15, 2014
Three ARAV-A targets are launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., in support of FTX-18.
2013
Oct. 4, 2013
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B guided missile is launched from the USS Lake Erie, and successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii during a Missile Defense Agency and US Navy test.
Sept. 18, 2013
An SM-3 Block 1B interceptor is launched from the USS Lake Erie during a MDA test and successfully intercepted a complex short-range ballistic missile target off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii.
First SM-3 launch
First SM-3 launch
First SM-3 launch
First SM-3 launch
First SM-3 launch
Second SM-3 launch
Second SM-3 launch
Sept. 10, 2013
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1A interceptor is launched from the USS DECATUR (DDG -73) during a successful intercept test. The USS DECATUR with its Aegis Weapon System detected and tracked the target with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar. The test, conducted by Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Operational Test Agency, Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, and U.S. Pacific Command, in conjunction with U.S. Army soldiers from the Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, U.S. Navy sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS DECATUR (DDG-73), and U.S. Air Force airmen from the 613th Air and Operations Center resulted in the intercept of one medium-range ballistic missile target by THAAD, and one medium-range ballistic missile target by Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). The test, designated Flight Test Operational-01 (FTO-01), stressed the ability of the Aegis BMD and THAAD weapon systems to function in a layered defense architecture and defeat a raid of two near-simultaneous ballistic missile targets.
Click here for more images from this flight test:
THAAD
2013
The deckhouse for the Aegis Ashore system bound for Romania at the Lockheed Martin Aegis facility. Missile Defense Agency Photo
May 16, 2013
A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block 1B successfully intercepted a target missile that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Following target launch, the LAKE ERIE detected and tracked the target with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar. The ship, equipped with the second-generation Aegis BMD weapon system, developed a fire control solution and launched the SM-3 Block 1B. The intercept occurred a few minutes later. Today's event was the third consecutive successful intercept test of the SM-3 Block IB missile.
Feb. 13, 2013
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 intercept of a medium-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean by a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA guided missile.
2012
Aegis Ashore is the land-based component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System and will use the same components (AN/SPY-1 Radar, Fire Control System, Vertical Launch System, computer processors, display system, power supplies and water coolers) that will be used onboard the Navy's new construction Aegis BMD Destroyers.
Oct. 25, 2012
A Standard Missile — 2 (SM-2) Block IA missile is launched from the USS Fitzgerald during the FTI-01 flight test.
Click here for more images from this flight test:
AN/TPY-2
PAC-3
THAAD
June 27, 2012
A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) Block IB interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block IB successfully intercepted a separating ballistic missile target that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The LAKE ERIE'S crew detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution. The crew then launched the SM-3, with the intercept occurring a few minutes later.
May 9, 2012
A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) Block IB interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block IB successfully intercepted a short-range ballistic missile target that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The LAKE ERIE'S crew detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution. The crew then launched the SM-3, with the intercept occurring a few minutes later.
2011
April 15, 2011
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the USS O'KANE in a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy test conducted April 15th. The SM-3 successfully intercepted a target missile launched from the Reagan Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
2010
October 29, 2010
A Standard Missile – 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Japanese Ship (JS) KIRISHIMA (DDG-174) in a joint missile defense intercept test with the Missile Defense Agency, in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 successfully intercepted a separating 1,000 km class ballistic missile target that had been launched minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The KIRISHIMA's crew detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution. The crew then launched the SM-3, with the intercept occurring three minutes later.
2009
Oct. 28, 2009
A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Japanese Ship (JS) Myoko (DDG 175) in a joint missile defense intercept test, with the Missile Defense Agency, in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 successfully intercepted a medium range target that had been launched minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The Myoko's crew had detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution, then launched the SM-3. The Myoko will return to Japanese waters after it has loaded some SM-3 interceptors in Pearl Harbor. (Photo Courtesy MDA)
July 30, 2009
A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) is launched from the USS Hopper (DDG 70) in the latest Missile Defense Agency (MDA) test in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. The missile intercepted a short-range ballistic missile target launched a few minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. It was the 19th successful intercept in 23 at-sea firings by the MDA's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program, the sea-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77) also participated in the exercise, detecting, tracking the target and conducting simulated engagements. (Photo: MDA and U.S. Navy)
March 26, 2009
The San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) fires a missile Thursday, March 26, 2009 during training exercise Stellar Daggers in the Pacific Ocean. Benfold engaged multiple targets with Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA and modified SM-2 BLK IV missiles. The overall objective of Stellar Daggers was to test the Aegis system's sea-based ability to simultaneously detect, track, engage and destroy multiple incoming air and ballistic missile threats during terminal or final phase of flight. The Benfold's Aegis Weapons System successfully detected and intercepted a cruise missile target with a SM-2 BLK IIIA, while simultaneously detecting and intercepting an incoming SRBM target with a modified SM-2 BLK IV. This is the first time the fleet has successfully tested the Aegis system's ability to intercept both an SRBM in terminal phase and a low-altitude cruise missile target at the same time. (U.S. Navy Photo)
2008
Nov. 19, 2008
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Japanese Ship (JS) CHOKAI (DDG 176) in a joint missile defense intercept test, with the Missile Defense Agency, in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 was attempting to intercept a medium range separating target that had been launched minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The CHOKAI's crew had detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution, then launched the SM-3. The system, crew and missile performed as expected, but in the last few seconds of flight, the SM-3 failed to intercept the target. While the failure is under investigation, the CHOKAI will return to Japanese waters after it has loaded some SM-3 interceptors in Pearl Harbor. (Photo Courtesy MDA)
Nov. 1, 2008
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis destroyer, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) Nov. 1 enroute to an intercept over an open ocean area northwest of Kauai as part of PacificBlitz 08. The SM-3 successfully collided with a ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Test Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. (U.S. Navy Photo)
Nov. 1, 2008
Target — A ballistic threat target missile is launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii Nov. 1 enroute to an intercept over an open ocean area northwest of Kauai as part of Pacific Blitz 08. The target was successfully intercepted by a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) launched from the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis destroyer, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) Nov. 1. (U.S. Navy Photo)
June 5, 2008
A short range, unitary, ballistic missile, Scud-like, target lifts off from the Mobile Launch Platform, the decommissioned USS Tripoli, in a Missile Defense Agency flight test June 5, 2008, at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Minutes later, the target was intercepted by two modified Standard Missile-2 (SM-2), Block IV missiles about 12 miles above the Pacific Ocean, approximately 100 miles west/northwest of Kauai. The SM-2 missiles were launched from the USS Lake Erie (CG 70). It was the second successful intercept of a sea-based terminal capability and the fourteenth of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program.
2007
Dec. 17, 2007
A Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Japanese AEGIS Destroyer JS Kongo enroute to an intercept of a target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii December 17, 2007. FTM-1 was the first time that a Japanese ship was designated to launch the interceptor missile, a major milestone in the growing cooperation between Japan and the U.S. (U.S. Navy Photos)
SM-2 Launch
SM-2 Launch
SM-2 Launch
Control Center
Control Center
Control Center
Tracking Station
Tracking Station
Tracking Station
Target Launch
Target Launch
SM-2 Launch
Nov. 6, 2007
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Pearl Harbor-based Aegis cruiser, USS Lake Erie (CG 70) on November 6, 2007 enroute to an intercept as part of a Missile Defense Agency test of the Sea-based capability under development, yet tactically certified and deployed with the U.S. Navy. This was a multiple simultaneous engagement involving two ballistic missile targets. The SM-3 was one of two interceptors, launched from the ship, that collided with two ballistic missile targets launched from the Pacific Missile Range Test Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii, within minutes of one another. The intercepts occurred about 250 miles from Kauai and approximately 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean. It marked the tenth and eleventh intercepts of thirteen scheduled attempts, for the program, and the 32nd and 33rd intercepts for the Agency's hit-to-kill technology development. With the successful Ground-Based intercept test in September, the Terminal High Altitude Area Program (THAAD) intercept, the end of October, today's intercepts mark four successes in the past 40 days for the Agency. (U.S. Navy Photos)
June 22, 2007
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), during a Missile Defense Agency ballistic missile flight test on June 22, 2007. Two minutes later, the SM-3 intercepted a separating ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The test was the ninth intercept, in eleven program flight tests, by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the maritime component of the "Hit-to-Kill" Ballistic Missile Defense System, being developed by the Missile Defense Agency. It was the first time such a test was conducted from a ballistic missile defense equipped-U.S. Navy destroyer. The previous flight tests were conducted from U.S. Navy cruisers. The maritime capability is designed to intercept short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. USS Decatur is one of 18 U.S. Navy ships (three cruisers and 15 destroyers) that will be identically equipped, by early 2009, with the ballistic missile defense capabilities of conducting long range surveillance/tracking and launching the SM-3 missile. (U.S. Navy Photos)
April 26, 2007
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test on April 26, 2007. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 intercepted a unitary (non-separating) ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Within moments of this launch, the USS Lake Erie also launched a Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) against a hostile air target in order to defend herself. The test was the eighth intercept, in 10 program flight tests, by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the maritime component of the "Hit-to-Kill" Ballistic Missile Defense System, being developed by the Missile Defense Agency. The test was designed to show the capability of the ship and its crew to conduct ballistic missile defense and at the same time defend herself. This test also marks the 27th successful hit-to-kill intercept in tests since 2001. (U.S. Navy Photos)
2006
June 22, 2006
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched on June 22, 2006 from the Aegis cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test. Two minutes later, the SM-3 intercepted a separating ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The test was the seventh intercept, in eight program flight tests, by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the maritime component of the "Hit-to-Kill" Ballistic Missile Defense System, being developed by the Missile Defense Agency. The maritime capability is designed to intercept short to medium-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. (US Navy Photos)
June 22, 2006
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched on June 22, 2006 from the Aegis cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), during a joint Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy ballistic missile flight test. Two minutes later, the SM-3 intercepted a separating ballistic missile threat target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The test was the seventh intercept, in eight program flight tests, by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, the maritime component of the "Hit-to-Kill" Ballistic Missile Defense System, being developed by the Missile Defense Agency. The maritime capability is designed to intercept short to medium-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. (US Navy Photos)
March 8, 2006
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched on March 8, 2006 from the USS Lake Erie (CG 70) in a Missile Defense Agency and Japan Defense Agency joint test in the Pacific. The cooperative test demonstrated the SM-3 with a Japan-designed advanced nosecone. The flight test, a milestone in a joint cooperative research project, is an example of the ongoing coordination between the U.S. and Japan on missile defense efforts.
2005
Nov. 17, 2005
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Flight Test FTM-04-02 — This successful intercept test involved for the first time a "separating" target, meaning that the target warhead separated from its booster rocket. This was the sixth successful intercept test in seven flight tests conducted since intercept tests began in 2002. Previous tests were against unitary (nonseparating) targets representative of "SCUD"-type ballistic missiles.
Feb. 24, 2005
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Flight Test FTM-04-01 — A Standard Missile — 3 (SM-3) is launched from the USS Lake Erie (CG 70) in the latest Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy test of its sea-based ballistic missile defense program. The SM-3 intercepted a short range ballistic missile target, launched minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The intercept, the fifth in the last six attempts, occurred approximately 100 miles from Kauai.
Jan. 7, 2005
A Standard Missile-3(SM-3) is launched from the Aegis crusier USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) as part of the Missile Defense Agency's latest Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) test to defeat a medium range ballistic missile threat. The SM-3, part of the Aegis Weapon System intercepted a target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii at an approximate speed of 3.7 kilometers per second. The two missiles collided several hundred kilometers from Kauai at an altitude of approximately 137 kilometers. The BMDS test included evaluation of the long range surveillance and tracking capabilities of two Navy ships, the effective communications between the ships and command and control units in Colorado and the launch of the SM-3 interceptor. This was the fourth successful intercept for the sea-based element of the BMDS.
2003
Dec. 11, 2003
Flight Mission-6 (FM-6) involved the detection and tracking of an Aries medium-range target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Kauai, Hawaii at 8:10am HST (1:10pm EST). Approximately two minutes after target launch, a developmental Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) was launched from the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense cruiser the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70). Approximately two minutes later the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target missile with "hit to kill" technology, using only the force of the direct collision to destroy the target. This was the fourth successful intercept for Aegis BMD and SM-3.
June 18, 2003
A developmental Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is launched from the U.S. Navy cruiser, USS Lake Erie (CG-70), in a Missile Defense Agency test, June 18, 2003, near Kauai, Hawaii. The test was the latest in a series aimed at developing a sea-based defense against short to medium range ballistic missile threats.
Notional animation of test involving a planned intercept of a ballistic missile target by a Standard Missile launched from an Aegis Cruiser.
2002
Nov. 21, 2002
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy conducted a successful flight test in the continuing development of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System on November 21, 2002.
Target Launch
SM-3 Launch
SM-3 Launch
SM-3 Launch
SM-3 Launch
SM-3 Launch
Seeker Imagery
SM-3 Launch
Nov. 21, 2002
The Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy conducted a successful flight test in the continuing development of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System on November 21, 2002.
June 15, 2002
Successful test involving a planned intercept of a ballistic missile target by a Standard Missile launched from an Aegis Cruiser.
Jan. 25, 2002
The Missile Defense Agency and the Navy conducted a successful flight test in the continuing development of a Sea-based Midcourse Ballistic Missile Defense System on January 25, 2002. Flight Mission two involved the launch of a developmental Standard Missile 3 and kinetic warhead interceptor from an Aegis cruiser and an Aries target missile launched from Kauai, Hawaii. A hit-to-kill intercept occurred.
