The Japanese Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyer JS Haguro (DDG-180) fires an SM-3 Block IB missile against an unspecified short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) target on November 19 off the coast of Hawaii in a joint U.S.-Japan missile defense test (Photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)
By DDN Staff |
1 year ago |
04/03/2023

USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) successfully intercepted a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target using upgraded Aegis software during a recent flight test, prime contractor Lockheed Martin [LMT] said.

The test marks the first Aegis Baseline 9.C2.0 (BMD 5.1) intercept of an MRBM target using the  Standard Missile–6 Dual II with software upgrade, updating performance against evolving threats.

FTM-31 E1a deployed a real-world scenario to test the Aegis Weapon System, which was able to better target, identify and intercept the threat due to the software update.

“The shield and spear of the fleet, Aegis has evolved to counter air, ballistic missiles and evolving threats across multiple domains from all regions, ranges and during all phases of flight,” said Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager of Naval Combat and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin. “We realize it is critical to develop capabilities that allow the United States, its partners and allies to quickly adapt to constantly-changing mission needs.”

Lockheed Martin apples its combat system expertise worldwide to deliver complex weapon and sensor capability through the Common Source Library, a permanent library for all Aegis system computer programs that allows customers to access software required to meet mission requirements. Aegis can rapidly deliver new capabilities, including solutions that integrate both SPY-1 and solid-state radars, and the growing SPY-7 family of radars. Due to its open architecture, Aegis delivers capability today and is flexible to grow with the demands of an ever-changing environment.