First Flight Test of Next Gen Standard Missile-3 Block IIA SM-3 Anti-Ballistic Missile Complete

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Naval Forces News - USA
 
 
 
First Flight Test of Next Gen Standard Missile-3 Block IIA SM-3 Anti-Ballistic Missile Complete
 
The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. The interceptor's bigger rocket motors and more capable kill vehicle will engage threats sooner and protect larger regions from short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
     
The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. The interceptor's bigger rocket motors and more capable kill vehicle will engage threats sooner and protect larger regions from short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
U.S. begins flight testing SM-3 advanced missile defense interceptor

     
"The SM-3 Block IIA program reflects the MDA's commitment to maturing this capability for the defense of our nation, deployed forces, and our allies abroad," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "The success of this test keeps the program on track for a 2018 deployment at sea and ashore."

The mission, Control Test Vehicle-01, evaluated the SM-3 Block IIA's nosecone performance, steering control section function, booster separation, and second and third stage rocket motor separation.

During the test, a SM-3 Block IIA was launched from a MK 41 launcher located at the U.S. Navy's Point Mugu Sea Range on Saint Nicolas Island in California. A target intercept was not included in the testing scenario.

About the Standard Missile-3

SM-3s destroy incoming ballistic missile threats in space using nothing more than sheer impact equivalent to a 10-ton truck traveling at 600 mph.
More than 200 SM-3s have been delivered to date.
SM-3 Block IB is deployed at sea and will be deployed ashore in 2015 in Romania.
SM-3 Block IIA is on track for deployment at sea and ashore in 2018.
     
Final assembly of the Raytheon-made Standard Missile-3 Block IIA round used in testing took place at the company's Redstone Missile Integration Facility in Huntsville, Ala. Picture: RaytheonThe Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. This test, designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development Controlled Test Vehicle-01, was the first live fire of the SM-3 Block IIA. The missile successfully demonstrated flyout through nosecone deployment and third stage flight. No intercept was planned, and no target missile was launched.The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. This test, designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development Controlled Test Vehicle-01, was the first live fire of the SM-3 Block IIA. The missile successfully demonstrated flyout through nosecone deployment and third stage flight. No intercept was planned, and no target missile was launched.The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. This test, designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development Controlled Test Vehicle-01, was the first live fire of the SM-3 Block IIA. The missile successfully demonstrated flyout through nosecone deployment and third stage flight. No intercept was planned, and no target missile was launched.

Actual pictures of the
SM-3 Block IIA CTV-1 first test