MDA Test Does Not Intercept Target 

21-NEWS-0007
May 29, 2021

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, conducted Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1 on May 29, 2021.

The objective of the test was to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense (BMD)-configured Aegis ship to detect, track, engage and intercept a medium range ballistic missile target with a salvo of two Standard Missile-6 Dual II (BMD-initialized) missiles. However, an intercept was not achieved.

Program officials have initiated an extensive review to determine the cause of any problems which may have prevented a successful intercept and will thoroughly analyze the results.

Aegis BMD uses SM-3 guided missiles to intercept ballistic missile threats outside the Earth’s atmosphere, and uses SM-2 or SM-6 guided missiles to intercept ballistic missile and anti-air warfare threats within the atmosphere using Sea-Based Terminal (SBT) and self-defense capabilities. In addition to guided missile engagement support, the ship-based AN/SPY-1 radar provides long-range surveillance and track functions to support other BMDS elements.
• The Navy is developing the AN/SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar for future Aegis destroyers to provide increased radar sensitivity, extended detection ranges, and simultaneous sensor support of ballistic missile and air defense functions.

ELEMENTS

Sea-Based Weapons Systems

Sea-Based Weapon Systems is the naval component of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Missile Defense System (MDS). U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system builds upon the Aegis Weapon System, Standard Missile (SM), Navy and joint forces’ Command, Control and Communication systems. In recognition of its scalability, Aegis BMD is also a keystone in the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) for missile defense.

Regional Defense – Aegis BMD Engagement Capability

• Defeats short- to intermediate-range, unitary and separating, midcourse-phase, ballistic missile threats with the SM-3, as well as short-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase with the SM-6.
• Flight tests are conducted by fleet warships. Each test increases the operational realism and complexity of targets and scenarios and is witnessed by Navy and Defense Department testing evaluators.
• In 2020 an Aegis BMD-equipped destroyer successfully intercepted a simple intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-threat representative target with a SM-3 Block IIA missile, illustrating how the system could be used in a layered missile defense architecture, enhancing U.S. homeland missile defense.

Homeland Defense – Aegis BMD Long Range Surveillance and Track

• Aegis BMD ships on Ballistic Missile Defense patrol, detect and track ballistic missiles of all ranges — including ICMBs and report track data to the MDS. This capability shares tracking data to cue other missile defense sensors and provides fire control data to Ground-based Midcourse Defense interceptors located at Fort Greely, Alaska; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; other elements of the MDS including land-based firing units (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Patriot) and other Navy BMD ships. 

Deployment

• The SM-3 Cooperative Development Program was a joint U.S.-Japan cooperative development of the 21-inch diameter variant of the SM-3, designated SM-3 Block IIA, designed to defeat intermediate-range ballistic missile threats and provide robust regional ballistic missile defense. Deployment began in 2021.

Mission

Combatant Commanders will employ the Aegis BMD weapon system (sea- and land-based variants) to defend deployed forces and allies from short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats, and to provide forward-deployed sensor.