Saturday, August 01, 2009

DTN News: Boeing Supports Successful Intercept Test Of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System

DTN News: Boeing Supports Successful Intercept Test Of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
*Source: DTN News / Boeing Company
(NSI News Source Info) KAUAI, Hawaii, - August 1, 2009: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] played a key role yesterday in the U.S. Navy's successful test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) weapon system, which intercepted a ballistic missile target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3). This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows a Standard Missile - 3 (SM-3) being launched from the USS Hopper Thursday July 30, 2009 in the latest Missile Defense Agency test in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. The missile intercepted a short-range ballistic missile target launched a few minutes earlier from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. It was the 19th successful intercept in 23 at-sea firings by the Missile Defense Agency’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program, the sea-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. AP (Photo LEHTIKUVA) Fired from the USS Hopper, the SM-3 Block IA missile, guided by the Aegis BMD weapon system and a Boeing-built kinetic warhead sensor, engaged and destroyed the short-range ballistic missile target launched from the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The test marked the 15th hit-to-kill intercept for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system’s SM-3 since flight tests began in 2002. "This successful test further validates the maturity and reliability of the SM-3 Block IA kinetic warhead," said Debra Rub, vice president of Boeing Weapons Programs. "Through rigorous, realistic testing, the system continues on a path to provide increased capability and expand the umbrella of protection against evolving ballistic missile threats." Boeing builds and integrates the SM-3 kinetic warhead's guidance assembly, and integrates and tests the avionics, guidance-and-control software and ejection subsystem at its Huntington Beach, Calif., and Huntsville, Ala., facilities. Prime contractor Raytheon provides the infrared seeker and divert attitude control system and integrates the kinetic warhead components into the SM-3. Boeing has partnered with Raytheon on SM-3 development since 1996. Boeing has delivered more than 80 Block IA guidance, navigation and control hardware suites in support of kinetic warhead deliveries. Ongoing spiral development will lead to improved performance and lower cost on a path to meet future threats with Block IB and Block IIA missiles. Boeing also develops and produces the Ka-band millimeter wave seeker for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile in Huntington Beach and Huntsville. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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