The sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system has conducted the first intercept of a target missile while using tracking data provided by satellites, the Pentagon said.
The test took place early yesterday morning when a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) fired from the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) cruiser struck a target missile launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said.
The orbiting Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators (STSS-D) detected the target moments after it launched and relayed tracking and targeting data to the ship, allowing for an earlier launch of the SM-3 than would normally be possible.
“Initial indications are that all components performed as designed,” MDA said. “Program officials will assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.”
The space-based capability is designed to extend the battle space, providing the ability for longer range intercepts and defense of larger areas, the MDA said.
Aegis-builder Lockheed Martin [LMT] said the Raytheon [RTN]-produced SM-3 was launched before the shipboard SPY-1 radar was able to detect the target. Aegis guided the interceptor using the data from space until the target was detected and tracked by the ship’s radar, Lockheed Martin said.
Northrop Grumman [NOC] is the prime contractor for STSS-D.
The intercept marked the 24th successful hit for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System in 30 tries since testing began in 2002, MDA said.