MDA & USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) Conduct MRBM intercept test with SM-6 & Aegis 9.C1

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Naval Forces News - USA
 
 
 
MDA & USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) Conduct MRBM intercept test with SM-6 & Aegis 9.C1
 
The Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, today successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test's primary objective.
     
USS John Paul Jones MRBM intercept test SM 6 Aegis 9.C1 1The Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test's primary objective.
     
The test was conducted off the coast of Hawaii just after midnight on Dec. 14.

"This test demonstrated the capabilities MDA and the Navy are delivering to our fleet commanders," said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring. "The SM-6 missile and the Aegis Weapon System continue to prove that they are critical components of our nation's multilayered, robust ballistic missile defense system."

The SM-6 missile uses an explosive warhead to defeat ballistic missile threats, differing from other missile defense interceptors, such as the Standard Missile-3, which use non-explosive hit-to-kill technology.

Program officials will continue evaluating system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

Aegis BMD is the naval component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program.
     
USS John paul jones ddg 53 US navyArleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) built by Bath Iron Works.
(Picture: US Navy)
     
About SM-6
SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon air defense capability by leveraging the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile's airframe and propulsion.
The SM-6 uses both active and semiactive guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.
It incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
SM-6 delivers multi-mission capability for long range Fleet Air Defense and Sea-Based Terminal Defense.

About Aegis Baseline 9
Aegis Baseline 9 delivers a fully open architecture system on U.S. cruisers and destroyers and is the basis for current and future Aegis Integrated Air and Missile Defense. Baseline 9 is being fielded on in-service destroyers, new construction destroyers and Aegis Ashore. The Aegis Common Source Library-enabled derivatives are on Freedom-variant littoral combat ships and will be included on the upcoming frigate ship.

Aegis statement from Paul Klammer, director, Aegis BMD, Lockheed Martin
"The recent ballistic missile defense test off the coast of Hawaii demonstrates, yet again, that Aegis can successfully execute complicated missions against a complex, medium-range ballistic missile target. Aegis Baseline 9 is the key to Aegis modernization, merging area anti-air warfare with ballistic missile defense into truly integrated air and missile defense for the warfighter. Our latest Aegis Baseline 9 enhancements enable Aegis to continue to evolve to counter advanced threats. And with each test, Aegis proves that it is the most advanced combat system for a proven layered defense."

Targets statement from Doug Graham, Vice President of Missile Systems and Advanced Programs, Lockheed Martin
"Lockheed Martin's Targets and Countermeasures team in Huntsville and Courtland, Alabama designed, built and launched the medium-range ballistic missile target in support of FTM-27. We are proud to deliver this highly complex target, the third in its class, to support realistic testing of the ballistic missile defense system as it evolves to address emerging threats."
     
USS John Paul Jones MRBM intercept test SM 6 Aegis 9.C1 2The Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test's primary objective.