A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is launched from Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on February 8, 2024. It goes on to intercept a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)
By Rich Abott |
@ReaderRabott
1 year ago |
02/09/2024
highlights missile defense Navy/USMC

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Navy completed “one of the most complicated” missile defense discrimination and intercept missions so far against a ballistic missile target with countermeasures, the Defense Department said.

This test, called Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) or Stellar Sisyphus, consisted of a two-part developmental test on Feb. 8 of sensor tracking and communications link capabilities off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii.

MDA said the first part demonstrated the Aegis Weapon System could track and discriminate a “complex target scene” consisting of a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures.

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is launched from Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on February 8, 2024. It goes on to intercept a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is launched from Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on Feb. 8, 2024. It goes on to intercept a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target. (Photo: Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, Missile Defense Agency)

The Defense Department did not detail the types or countermeasures used in this test.

In the second part of the test, the government fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA from the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85) that intercepted the Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target. It said the shot sought to verify additional functionality of the SM-3 Block IIA.

The government said the test was planned to track a complex target, with the primary objective to collect data on the target scene from multiple sensors from several angles.

The SM3 IIA intercept was “not necessary to achieve this objective,” but that proved the Aegis Weapons System demonstrated “additional reserve capability with the successful hit.”

L3Harris Technologies’ Aerojet Rocketdyne [LHX] provided the MRBM target, which was launched from a C-17 cargo aircraft. 

“By providing a high-fidelity target our team helped ensure the MDA’s test program provided a realistic threat environment. The MRBM target and C-17 cargo aircraft launch system enable streamlined operations in remote locations worldwide, essential to highly-effective, missile defense system testing,” Ross Niebergall, president of Aerojet Rocketdyne, said in a statement.

The company designs, builds and launches MRBM Type 1 and Type 2 targets at its Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace subsidiary. Aerojet Rocketdyne acquires Coleman Aerospace and its target business in 2017, in turn being acquired by L3Harris in 2023.

Aerojet Rocketdyne said FTX-23 marked the 38th launch supporting U.S missile defense testing. Beyond the target vehicle itself, the company provides integrated logistics support, inventory storage and maintenance, pre- and post-mission analysis, launch preparation, launch execution and engineering services for the targets.

An Aerojet Rocketdyne Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures is air launched from a C-17 aircraft off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on February 8, 2024. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)
An Aerojet Rocketdyne Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures is air launched from a C-17 aircraft off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on Feb. 8, 2024. (Photo: Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, Missile Defense Agency)

MDA underscored the data it collected from this test will help be an anchor to the modeling and simulation for future missile defense tracking and discrimination capabilities and improvements.

The test event included operations by the (DDG-85) as well as sensing from the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) along with Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and Advanced Radar Development Evaluation Laboratory in Hawaii.

MDA said these participants collected “valuable tracking data on the target.”

“We are working closely with the Navy to provide new and enhanced capabilities against a constantly evolving threat,” said Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA Director. 

“Today’s successful test was a key milestone in giving our Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships increased sensing and tracking tools to combat threat proliferation. This was an incredible accomplishment and I commend the U.S. Navy Sailors, the MDA team and our industry partners,” Collins said in a statement.

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepts an Aerojet Rocketdyne Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on February 8, 2024. (Image: Missile Defense Agency)
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepts an Aerojet Rocketdyne Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, during Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) on February 8, 2024. (Image: Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, Missile Defense Agency)

Aegis Combat System (ACS) provider Lockheed Martin [LMT] called this a major milestone with several “significant firsts” for the latest iterations of the ACS.

“This accomplishment proves that the warfighter can successfully execute complicated missions against adversaries. Our team is continuing to develop new baselines to expand on the Aegis Combat System’s current capabilities to ensure those who serve are always outpacing the evolving ballistic and hypersonic threats,” Amr Hussein, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin, said in a statement.