Missile Defense Test Fails
December 15, 2004 :: Reuters :: News
The Missile Defense Agency yesterday attempted the first full test of its ground based midcourse defense system, but the interceptor missile failed to leave its silo. The target interceptor successfully launched from Kodiak island, but the the interceptor based at the Kwajalein Test Range in the Marshall Islands did not. The MDA cited an unspecified “anomaly.” had caused the interceptor to shut down automatically in its silo.
The failed test will probably become a setback for missile defense efforts, less on the technical than the political level. The failure is a particular embarrassment since the technology involved has nothing to do with the actual intercept of a ballistic missile. Rather, it seems to be related to the simple launch of the missile, and is thus the kind of problem which has been worked out decades ago.
The failed test in no way diminishes, however, the need for missile defense. It does reinforce the need for increased testing and for more proficient and effective systems. But no weapon system is perfect. It is for just such reason that there should therefore be backups and layers in our defenses. (Article, Link)
» MDA press release on test attempt
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)
Interceptor Installed at Vandenberg
December 13, 2004 :: The Lompoc Record :: News
On December 10, a 55-foot long Ground Based Interceptor was lowered into an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force, in California, the first of two to be deployed at VAFB this year. The installation is the first in the continental United States—six are already emplaced at Fort Greely, in Alaska. (Article, Link)
» Dec. 12: Lompoc Record: Karako on missile defense
» MDA press release on VAFB installation
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Vandenberg Air Force Base
Successful Test of Patriot, THAAD Radar
November 18, 2004 :: The Missile Defense Agency :: News
The Missile Defense Agency today completed another successful test of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor, at White Sands Missile Range. The test was described as “the most complex flight test scenario to date for PAC-3,” with some six missiles in the air at one time. Also of significance is that the test included the use of radar for the separate, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile system. Tests of THAAD are set to resume in 2005. (More »»»)
» MDA press release on PAC-3 test
» Orbital description of Storm Maneuvering Tactical Target Vehicle
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Sixth Interceptor in Place: First Phase of Deployment Complete
November 12, 2004 :: The Missile Defense Agency :: News
A sixth ballistic missile interceptor was yesterday installed in its silo at Fort Greely, Alaska. The interceptor is the last of those to be installed in 2004. An additional eight to ten will be emplaced in 2005, for a total of 14-16. Two interceptors are still due to be installed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California this year. The limited ground based midcourse defense system has yet to be declared operational, but such an announcement is expected before the end of the year. (Link)
» MDA press release on installation of 6th interceptor
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Fourth Interceptor Now in Place
September 24, 2004 :: News
On Wednesday, September 22, the Missile Defense Agency put in place the fourth of six Ground-based Midcourse Defense missile interceptors scheduled to be installed this year. The other two are expected sometime in October. The third interceptor was emplaced only a few days before, on September 18. (Article, Link)
» MDA press release
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Third Interceptor in Place at Fort Greely, Alaska
September 18, 2004 :: News
The third of six interceptors scheduled to be deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska by the end of this year has now been emplaced in its launch silo on September 15. Two other interceptors will be fielded at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by the end of the year. (Article, Link)
» MDA release
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Second Interceptor Installed at Fort Greely
September 10, 2004 :: News
The Missile Defense Agency installed the second Ground-based interceptor in an underground silo at Fort Greely this past week, according to the September 10 edition of Aerospace Daily and Defense Report. The first interceptor was “emplaced” on July 22, and the third is expected to be installed “probably within the next 10 days or so,” according to an MDA spokesman.
Update: An MDA press release reports that a total of six interceptors will be emplaced by October, as well as two more at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by the end of the year. (Link)
» MDA on second and future emplacements
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
Patriot Test Successful: Scores Hits Against Ballistic and Cruise Missiles
September 2, 2004 :: Lockheed Martin :: News
The Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor today successfully intercepted and destroyed two targets, one a short range ballistic missile, the other a cruise missile, reports a Lockheed Martin press release. The test took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The ballistic missile destroyed was actually an older Patriot modified to simulate an enemy missile, called a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT). The other target destroyed simultaneously with the Patriot was a MQM-107D cruise missile. The PAC-3 launcher “ripple-fired” two Patriots, shortly after one another, with each going to their respective targets.
The test was described as the fifth successful “ripple-fire” of the PAC-3 missiles against ballistic missiles, including both flight testing and in combat. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
First Ground Based Interceptor Lowered Into Alaska Silo
July 22, 2004 :: Department of Defense :: News
The first Ground-Based Interceptor was today lowered into a silo at Fort Greely, Alaska, one of many which will soon form the first line of defense against long range ballistic missiles from countries such as North Korea. Five additional interceptors will be deployed in Alaska by the end of September, for a total of six. An additional ten are scheduled to be added to Fort Greely by the end of 2005, as well as an additional four at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, for a total of twenty. The interceptors form a major part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
The first interceptor uses an Orbital booster, and will be armed with the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, or EKV. Although placed inside the silo, it is not yet operational. (Article, Link)
» Orbital press release
» MDA release
» More stories on: Deployment, Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)
THAAD Interceptor Production Begins
May 26, 2004 :: Lockheed Martin :: News
Lockheed today announced that the production of the interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), has now commenced at the company’s facility in Troy, Alabama. The first THAAD interceptor to be produced will be a “pathfinder” missile, used for testing this year, after which 16 flight test missiles will be manufactured. The flight testing for THAAD will begin later in 2004, beginning at White Sands, New Mexico, and extend through 2009, with an initial operational capability in 2007. THAAD has a range far beyond that of the Patriot, and can hit-to-kill both inside and outside the atmosphere.
U.S. Representative Terry Everett of Alaska, at the THAAD ceremony, pointed out that the increased capabilities of the THAAD were previously banned under the ABM Treaty: “One critical thing President Bush did was get us out of the ABM treaty…Much of this missile is not ABM compliant—it flies too high, too fast.” (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
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