Successful First Test For Land-Based Aegis Missile Defense System


The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Navy successfully conducted the first flight test involving components of the Aegis Ashore system at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii on May 20th, 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Aegis Ashore system is basically the land version of the system currently in use on U.S. Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

During the test, a simulated ballistic missile target was acquired, tracked, and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System. At approximately 7:35 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, May 20 (1:35 a.m. EDT, May 21), the Aegis Weapon System fired a Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IB guided missile from the Vertical Launch System.

Several fire control and engagement functions were exercised during the test, according to the DoD. A live target missile launch was not planned for this flight test.

The primary purpose of the test was to confirm the functionality of the Aegis Ashore system by launching a land-based SM-3 missile.

An Aegis Ashore system is scheduled to be deployed to Romania in 2015.

Author

  • Michael Swaney

    Michael is an Army veteran and the Director of Content for Bright Mountain Media LLC

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