AST Digital Magazine February 2017 AST Digital Magaiinse Volume 10 | Page 28

Volume 10
Based on preliminary data the test met its primary objective . Program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test .
The flight test , designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development ( SCD ) Project Flight Test , Standard Missile ( SFTM ) -01 , was the third flight test of the SM-3 Block IIA guided missile , and the first intercept test .
Feb 2017 Edition
“ The SM-3 Block IIA program continues to reflect MDA ’ s commitment to maturing this regional ballistic missile defense capability for the defense of our nation , its deployed forces and our allies abroad ,” said Dr . Taylor W . Lawrence , Raytheon Missile Systems president .
“ This test success keeps the program on track for deployment at sea and ashore in the 2018 timeframe , building on Raytheon ’ s unequalled fifteen-year history of exo-atmospheric intercepts .” The test ’ s primary objective was a successful intercept .
The mission was also designed to evaluate key missile system performance , including the kinetic warhead , divert and attitude control system functionality , nosecone performance , steering control section function , booster performance and separation and the second and third stage rocket motor performance and separation .
Dr . Taylor W . Lawrence , Raytheon Missile Systems president
This test also marks the first time an SM-3IIA was launched from an Aegis ship and the first intercept engagement using the Aegis Baseline 9 . C2 ( BMD 5.1 ) weapon system .
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is the naval component of the U . S . Ballistic Missile Defense System . The MDA and the U . S . Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program .
The Missile Defense Agency ’ s mission is to develop and deploy a layered Ballistic Missile Defense System to defend the United States , its deployed forces , allies and friends from ballistic missile attacks of all ranges in all phases of flight .
The interceptor ’ s kinetic warhead has been enhanced to best address advanced and emerging threats , with improvements to the search , discrimination , acquisition and tracking functions .
The kinetic warhead , along with larger rocket motors , allows SM-3 Block IIA to engage more sophisticated threats and protect larger regions from short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats , providing greater operational flexibility .
The SM-3 Block IIA was flown twice before in successful test demonstrations , both without target intercepts , in order to fully evaluate the missile in flight and prepare for the first intercept test .
Future flight tests will continue to evaluate system performance , en-route to a 2018 deployment in support of the European Phased Adaptive Approach Phase 3 .
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