Boeing yesterday successfully destroyed a stand-in long-range ballistic missile as part of the most complicated orbital takedown yet in the development of the US ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) system for which the company is the prime contractor. GMD is part of a layered ballistic missile defence architecture set to defend the US, Czech Republic and Poland from long-range missile threats.
For the 5 December test, the ballistic missile target lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska at 1504 eastern time, followed by the launch of an interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
"As the interceptor flew toward the target, it received target data updates from the GMD fire control system, which collected and combined data from four different sensors, the most ever for an intercept test," says Boeing. "The sensors were the Aegis Long Range Surveillance and Track system in the Pacific; the AN/TPY-2 radar temporarily located in Juneau, Alaska; the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; and the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) in the Pacific."
Once in orbit, the interceptor released its exoatmospheric kill vehicle, which tracked, intercepted and destroyed the target warhead. "This end-to-end test of the GMD system was the most realistic and comprehensive to date," says Boeing. The test is the eight intercept to date and the third since September 2006 using an interceptor with the "same design and capabilities as those protecting the US," says Boeing.
(Photo of interceptor launch provided by Boeing)
Source: FlightGlobal.com
