Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile THAAD successfully engages five targets simultaneously

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Defense Industry News - Lockheed martin

 
 
Saturday, October 27, 2012, 11:35 AM
 
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile THAAD successfully engages five targets simultaneously
Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LM) Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System successfully engaged in the first-ever test of all three systems demonstrating the integrated capabilities of today's U.S. regional missile defense systems.
     
Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LM) Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System successfully engaged in the first-ever test of all three systems demonstrating the integrated capabilities of today's U.S. regional missile defense systems.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched from Meck Island on its way to intercept of a ballistic missile target during MDA's historic flight test on Oct. 24, 2012.
(Photo by Andrew Hall)
     

These systems worked together to detect, track, engage and negate two ballistic missile targets and one cruise missile-like target during a complex, live-fire flight test conducted by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at the Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific.

Known as Flight Test Integrated-01, these different sensors and weapons systems were integrated through the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system, also developed by Lockheed Martin. The C2BMC is the integrating element for the Ballistic Missile Defense System and links the various sensors and weapon systems.

"Today's success demonstrates the strides that have been made in missile defense technologies and the maturity and reliability of these systems," said Dennis Cavin, Vice President for Army and Missile Programs at Lockheed Martin. "This test demonstrates the benefits of a layered, interoperable approach that can help protect the U.S. and allies from increasing security concerns around the world."

The flight test began with an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile airdropped over the broad ocean area north of Wake Island from a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft, staged from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The AN/TPY-2 X-band radar, located with the THAAD system on Meck Island, tracked the E-LRALT and a THAAD interceptor successfully intercepted the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile. THAAD was operated by Soldiers from the 32nd AAMDC.

Another short-range ballistic missile was launched from a mobile launch platform located in the broad ocean area northeast of Kwajalein Atoll. The PATRIOT system, manned by soldiers of the 94th AAMDC, detected, tracked and successfully intercepted the target with a PAC-3 interceptor. Additionally, a second PAC-3 interceptor also intercepted a low flying cruise missile target over water.

The USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) successfully engaged a low flying cruise missile over water. The Aegis system also tracked and launched an SM-3 Block 1A interceptor against a Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM). However, despite indication of a nominal flight of the SM-3 Block 1A interceptor, there was no indication of an intercept of the SRBM.

FTI-01 was a combined developmental and operational test. Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen from multiple Combatant Commands operated the systems and were provided a unique opportunity to refine operational doctrine and tactics. Program officials continue to assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.