BMDS showcases layered defences
The US’ ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) has undergone operational testing to demonstrate its ability to defeat three near-simultaneous air and missile targets, consisting of one medium range ballistic missile, one short range ballistic missile and one cruise missile target.
The test was carried out by Lockheed Martin, the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency at Wake Island.
The test saw the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system and the Aegis ballistic missile defense system aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) receive support from a sensor command-and-control architecture that included an AN/TPY-2 radar, and the Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) suite.
The AN/TPY-2 radar detected the target and relayed track information to the C2BMC system to cue defending BMDS assets. The THAAD system destroyed both the medium range and short range ballistic missiles, and the Aegis system defeated the air-breathing target.
The THAAD system, operated by soldiers from the Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, used a second AN/TPY-2 radar to track the target, then developed a fire-control solution, launched a THAAD interceptor missile and successfully intercepted the short-range ballistic missile and the medium-range ballistic missile.
The ‘air breather’ cruise-missile target was engaged by USS John Paul Jones using Aegis Baseline 9’s integrated air and missile defence capability.
Preliminary data indicate Lockheed Martin systems were successful.
Richard McDaniel, vice president and program manager for THAAD, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Today’s successful intercepts proved once again that the capability and maturity of the Lockheed Martin missile defence systems are unequalled. This realistic and complex operational test demonstrated that a multi-tier layered defence is essential in the protection of nations from current and emerging air and missile threats.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch]()
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
