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On June 5, 2006,
Missile Defense Agency and US Navy
achieve the second successful sea-based terminal engagement paving the way for
deployment of a near-term capability in 2009. This was the second test of a modified SM-2 Blk IV
and the first to use an operational version of the Aegis BMD combat system
that includes the terminal BMD mission capability.
A threat representative, short-range ballistic missile was launched from a
mobile launch platform operating off the coast of Kauai on the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
USS Lake Erie was positioned off the coast of Kauai operating under simulated tactical control.
As in all of the recent flights s the ship's crew was not informed of the
exact target launch location,
time or trajectory.
The ship's Commanding Officer
was provided with an operational scenario and intelligence typical of the
real world scenario.
The ship's crew configured the SPY-1 radar to perform a search designed for
achieving the BMD mission objectives.
As the target rose above the horizon,
the SPY-1 radar acquired the target and place it in track.
The weapons system automatically
developed a fire control solution
"All stations Captain, FIS is green"
"3...2...1..."
Minutes after target launch,
the ship's crew fired a salvo of two modified SM-2 Blk IV missiles for
the ship's operational doctrine.
The SM-2 Blk IV pitched over in the direction of the target, ejected the
MK-72 booster and the MK-104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor ignited.
As the missile approached the target, it transitioned to terminal guidance using its
onboard semi-active RF seeker.
A lethal engagement!
The modified SM-2 Blk IV achieved a lethal engagement. Following the
intercept by the first missile the second missile was commander destructed
by the ship's combat system.
Numerous grounds, sea
and air-based sensors observed the intercept.
SM-2 Blk IV is already deployed in the US Navy's inventory.
Modifications to the missiles MK-45 fuse enable the BLK IV to
engage high-speed, short range ballistic missiles.
This was first demonstrated during Pacific Pheonix in June 2006.
Raytheon is modifying all of the SM-2 Blk IVs to provide a sea-based
terminal capability and has already begun deliveries to the US Aegis cruisers and destroyers.
This test took a major step towards deploying a near-term sea based terminal
defense capability
The Lake Erie was outfitted with the latest version of Aegis BMD computer
program version 3.6.1,
which enables both SM-3 mid-course engagements and SM-2 Blk IV sea-based
terminal engagements.
With the successful completion of FTM-14,
Aegis BMD,
SM-2 Blk IV
and SM-3
have successfully intercepted 14 of 16 ballistic missile target
presentations and demonstrated an operational capability to conduct both
terminal and mid-course ballistic missile intercepts.
The successful test paves the way to fielding a capability to meet this
urgent warfighter need.
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. Capable. Proven.
Ready for deployment