September 20, 2005 :: The Missile Defense Agency :: News
The Missile Defense Agency today issued a press release on a successful launch and tracking exercise which took place on September 14. The test involved the operational test of a U.S. Air Force strategic missile from Vandenberg AFB, California, to serve as a “target of opportunity.” The primary tracking objective was to be done by the Forward-Based X-Band Transportable Radar, which is transportable and can moved by aircraft anywhere in the world. The test was called “Glory Trip 189.”
The radar acquired, tracked, and collected data on the target vehicle from acquisition of signal until approximately 500 seconds into the flight. The radar transmitted reports of the missile’s flight track to the Ballistic Missile Defense System’s (BMDS) Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system. Similarly a U.S. Navy Aegis ballistic missile defense ship also tracked the target vehicle and relayed tracking data to the command and control system, using operational communication links. Other MDA elements that participated in the test included the Airborne Infrared System, Project Hercules (improved missile detection and tracking research), and External Sensors Lab.
The missile tracked is not named in the MDA press release, but it may well have been the Minuteman III missile tested on September 14 from Vandenberg. (Article)
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