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View Full Version : Flight Mission 4 Missile Test Successful



Shaffer
11-21-02, 08:06 PM
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Navy announced
today a successful flight test in the continuing development of
the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) element of the
Ballistic Missile Defense System. Flight Mission-4 (FM-4)
involved the firing of a developmental Standard Missile 3 (SM-3)
from the Aegis ballistic missile defense cruiser USS Lake Erie
to engage a ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific
Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.

The target was launched at 2:30 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time
(7:30 p.m. EST). The USS Lake Erie, equipped with Aegis BMD
computer programs and equipment, developed a fire control
solution without any external sensor inputs. Within two minutes
after target launch the Aegis Weapon System fired the SM-3
guided missile. Approximately two minutes later, the missile's
kinetic warhead acquired, tracked and diverted into the target,
demonstrating the Aegis BMD system's capability to engage the
ballistic missile target in the ascent phase. This was the
third consecutive target intercept.

The primary objective of this test is to demonstrate the Aegis
BMD system capability to engage the ballistic missile target in
the ascent phase of flight. Extensive engineering evaluation
data has been collected for analyses in preparation for future
flight tests. Project officials will evaluate the data and
incorporate changes as required.

With the success of the FM-3 flight test on June 13, 2002, the
Aegis BMD project has accelerated its flight-testing objectives.
The next test, FM-4, marks the beginning of a six flight test
series to develop an emergency deployment sea based ballistic
missile defense against short-to-medium range ballistic
missiles. FM-4 is the first developmental flight test against
more complex and stressing ballistic missile engagement
scenarios. An extensive ground test program had already
conducted successful testing of elements of the Aegis BMD
system.

MDA and the Navy manage the Aegis BMD Project. Raytheon Missile
Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is the prime contractor for the
development of the SM-3 missile. Lockheed Martin Naval
Electronic and Surveillance Systems, Moorestown, N.J., manages
the development of the Aegis Weapon System installed in Aegis
cruisers and destroyers.

For television media, satellite transmission of the launch video
is scheduled as follows: Between 10:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21,
and 12:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, uplink to Telstar-6 TR-C1,
upsouth teleport in Atlanta will turn Telstar-6 TR-C1 to AMC
GE-2 TR-K5. Photographs of the test can be accessed at
http://www.news.navy.mil or http://www.hawaii.navy.mil.