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Destroyer hits target in missile defense test

For the first time, an Aegis radar-equipped Navy destroyer test-fired an interceptor missile, hitting a target 250 miles off the coast of Hawaii on June 22, Missile Defense Agency officials said.

The Standard Missile (SM-3) fired from the destroyer Decatur rammed its target during the midcourse phase of its flight, roughly 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean, according to MDA and Lockheed Martin officials.

Previous Aegis BMD tests have been aboard cruisers.

During the test, the Aegis combat system used data radioed from a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system set up on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. This was the first Aegis BMD test that used information from a land-based X-band radar.

“The THAAD radar tracked them first. This particular case was to prove that THAAD can cue the Aegis system,” said Joe Rappisi, Lockheed Martin director for Aegis ballistic missile defense.

The mock warhead separated from its booster rocket to test the system’s ability to track a smaller target, MDA spokesman Rick Lehner said.

“It deployed a warhead like a medium-range missile would do,” Lehner said.

The interceptor missile rammed the target, destroying it without explosives, said Lehner.

In another twist, the Spanish frigate Mendez Nunez helped perform long-range surveillance, the first time a Spanish ship had participated in an Aegis BMD test.

Aegis BMD technology is being installed on 18 U.S. ships, including cruisers and destroyers.

Non-U.S. militaries, including Australia and Japan, are also interested in using the Aegis BMD system, said MDA and Lockheed officials.

Next December, a Japanese Kongo-class destroyer equipped with Aegis BMD will attempt to shoot down a target over the Pacific Ocean.

“We have a team in Japan doing the hardware and computer program upgrades to the Kongo. The training is continuing as we speak,” said Nick Bucci, chief engineer for ballistic missile defense, Lockheed Martin.

The Japanese already have a land-based X-band radar.

Since 2002, there have been eight successful Aegis intercepts out of 10 test-firings.

Unlike standard radar beams which often go in a circle, a phased fixed array has smaller beams going in different directions from fixed panels.

“You can steer the radar and put it toward where there is more threat. The reaction time is dramatically reduced so that operators can have a clear picture sooner so they can make quicker, more accurate decisions,” said Lockheed Martin spokesman Kenneth Roth.