Elizabeth Leigh
The Missile Defense Agency recently conducted a demonstration of the Lockheed Martin-built naval component of its ballistic missile defense system, in collaboration with the U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Navy.
In the Oct. 16 flight test, a medium-range Raytheon ballistic missile target launched from the Kauai-based Pacific Missile Range Facility was identified, located, engaged and intercepted by the Aegis weapons system onboard the Arleigh Burke-class USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), which was on standby west of Hawaii, the agency said Oct. 17.
The Aegis Baseline 9.C1 (BMD 5.0 Capability Upgrade) Weapon System is equipped with an AN/SPY-1 radar.
The flight test assessed several capabilities, including fire control, discrimination and engagement, and gathered other data on system performance from the Aegis BMD and other weapons systems stationed at PMRF.
