Jan 26 2013 photo: MDA The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a flight test of a three-stage Ground-Based Inter...
Jan 26 2013
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a flight test of a three-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missile as a part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
GMD is the United States' only defense against long-range ballistic missile threats.
The test at Vandenberg Air Force Base began at 2p.m. Pacific time yesterday with the launch of a GMD ground-based interceptor (GBI) carrying a next-generation Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). The test measured the EKV's performance as the vehicle operated under stressful space conditions. Data gathered during the test will be used to validate the EKV's design.
Data from this flight test will be used to evaluate the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle system performance in a flight environment. If a target missile were present, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle would collide directly with the threat warhead to perform a hit-to-kill intercept. Engineering data from this test will be used to improve confidence for future intercept missions.
A target missile launch was not planned for this flight test. After performing fly out maneuvers, the three-stage booster deployed the EKV to a designated point in space. After separating from the booster, the EKV executed a variety of pre-planned maneuvers to collect performance data in space.
Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. Program officials will assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.
Yesterday’s event, designated Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Control Test Vehicle (GM CTV)-01, is part of an extensive test series initiated after the Flight Test Ground-Based Interceptor (FTG)-06a failure in December 2010.
The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle flown during GM CTV-01 was modified based on findings from the FTG-06a Failure Review Board.
This test is the critical first step in returning GMD to successful intercept testing.
GMD flight testing was halted in early 2011 after a guidance error resulted in a failed intercept in a December 2010 test.
Boeing is the prime contractor since 2001 and works with industry partners Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences Corp. and Raytheon.
GMD is an integral element of the United States layered ballistic missile defense architecture. With interceptors deployed at Vandenberg and at Fort Greely, Alaska, the program consists of command-and-control facilities, communications terminals and a 20,000-mile fiber-optic communications network that interface with ballistic missile defense radars and other sensors.
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| photo: MDA |
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a flight test of a three-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missile as a part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
GMD is the United States' only defense against long-range ballistic missile threats.
The test at Vandenberg Air Force Base began at 2p.m. Pacific time yesterday with the launch of a GMD ground-based interceptor (GBI) carrying a next-generation Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). The test measured the EKV's performance as the vehicle operated under stressful space conditions. Data gathered during the test will be used to validate the EKV's design.
Data from this flight test will be used to evaluate the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle system performance in a flight environment. If a target missile were present, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle would collide directly with the threat warhead to perform a hit-to-kill intercept. Engineering data from this test will be used to improve confidence for future intercept missions.
A target missile launch was not planned for this flight test. After performing fly out maneuvers, the three-stage booster deployed the EKV to a designated point in space. After separating from the booster, the EKV executed a variety of pre-planned maneuvers to collect performance data in space.
Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. Program officials will assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.
Yesterday’s event, designated Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Control Test Vehicle (GM CTV)-01, is part of an extensive test series initiated after the Flight Test Ground-Based Interceptor (FTG)-06a failure in December 2010.
The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle flown during GM CTV-01 was modified based on findings from the FTG-06a Failure Review Board.
This test is the critical first step in returning GMD to successful intercept testing.
GMD flight testing was halted in early 2011 after a guidance error resulted in a failed intercept in a December 2010 test.
Boeing is the prime contractor since 2001 and works with industry partners Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences Corp. and Raytheon.
GMD is an integral element of the United States layered ballistic missile defense architecture. With interceptors deployed at Vandenberg and at Fort Greely, Alaska, the program consists of command-and-control facilities, communications terminals and a 20,000-mile fiber-optic communications network that interface with ballistic missile defense radars and other sensors.
