Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System

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The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System is a part of the US Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency program to develop a missile defense system, covering the US, by 2005. It builds upon the Aegis combat system with SPY-1 radar and SM-3 missile including propulsion improvements and a Kinetic Warhead. Early demonstration models were based upon Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) technology from the SDIO "Star Wars" program.

Three tests, conducted in 2002, were considered successful. Four additional flight tests have been conducted with three rated as successful. The most recent test in November 2005 intercepted and "killed" a ballistic missile separating reentry warhead.

US Navy interest in operations against ballistic missiles dates back to 1965 when Terrier and Tartar anti-aircraft missiles were test fired against Corporal and Redstone missiles. While some of those tests were successful, the capability was not exploited.

The current effort to deploy Aegis ballistic missile defense capability was kindled in the early 1990s to provide a weapon system vehicle for exploratory testing of LEAP technology being developed by the Ballistic Missile Defense Office (BMDO). The initial Aegis Weapon System success in demonstrating the potential for ballistic missile killing in 2002 may have contributed to President Bush's decision to build an emergency capability to be deployed by late 2004.

The US Navy is currently converting 15 Aegis equipped destroyers and 3 cruisers to incorporate ballistic missile defense capability. Operational tests are planned for later in 2006. While Aegis BMD ships transmit their initial target detection information to the national Ground-based Midcourse Defense system for potential defense of the US, they can also fire their STANDARD Missile-3 to provide theater level ballistic missile defense against short and intermediate range tactical ballistic missiles. An evolving program of capability improvements is also underway.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the program was the brainchild of former Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter.Template:Ref

Also see a similar program, the Army, land based THAAD system.

Contents 1 See also 1.1 Hemispheric Missile Defense Systems 1.2 Continental Missile Defense Systems 1.3 Theatre Missile Defense Systems 1.4 Battlefield Missile Defense Systems 2 References

See also

• Aegis
• Aegis combat system
• Aegis cruiser

Hemispheric Missile Defense Systems

• Strategic Defence Initiative

Continental Missile Defense Systems

• National Missile Defense

Theatre Missile Defense Systems

• Arrow missile

Battlefield Missile Defense Systems

• Patriot missile

References

• Template:Note Yochi J. Dreazen (May 24, 2005). "Rocker Jeff Baxter moves and shakes in national security". The Wall Street Journal. (available through the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: article)