Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (Aegis BMD)
Source: Missile Defense Agency
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) is the sea-based component of the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Aegis BMD builds upon the Aegis Weapon System, Standard Missile, Navy and joint forces’ Command, Control and Communication systems. The Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force formally found Aegis BMD to be operationally effective and suitable. The Navy embraces BMD as a core mission. In recognition of its scalability, Aegis BMD/SM-3 system is a keystone in the Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense in Europe.
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
BMD Engagement Capability:
- Defeats short- to intermediate-range, unitary and separating, midcourse-phase, ballistic missile threats with the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), as well as short-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase with the SM-2.
- Flight tests are conducted by Fleet standard warships, operated by fleet Sailors and Officers. Each test increases the operational realism and complexity of targets and scenarios and is witnessed by Navy and Defense Department testing evaluators.
BMD Long Range Surveillance and Track (LRS&T):
- Aegis BMD ships on Ballistic Missile Defense patrol, detect and track ballistic missiles of all ranges – including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and report track data to the missile defense system. This capability shares tracking data to cue other missile defense sensors and provides fire control data to Ground-based Midcourse Defense interceptors located at Fort Greely, Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and other elements of the BMDS including land-based firing units (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Patriot) and other Navy BMD ships.
Deployment:
- There are 21 Aegis BMD combatants (5 cruisers [CGs] and 16 destroyers [DDGs]) in the U.S. Navy. Of the 21 ships, 16 are assigned to the Pacific Fleet and 5 to the Atlantic Fleet. The Secretary of Defense announced earlier this year that 6 more DDGs would be BMD equipped. These additional six DDGs will be from Fleet Forces in the Atlantic. The MDA and the Navy, working together, will increase the number of BMD capable ships to 32 by end of 2013.
International Efforts:
- Aegis BMD is the first missile defense capability produced by the MDA that has been purchased by a military ally. Japan’s four KONGO Class Destroyers have been upgraded with BMD operational capabilities.
- SM-3 Cooperative Development Program is the joint U.S.-Japan development of a 21 inch diameter variant of the SM-3 missile, designated SM-3 Block IIA, to defeat longer range ballistic missiles. Flight testing begins in 2014.
Future Capabilities:
- Engagement of longer range ballistic missiles
- Improving existing early intercept capability
- Enhanced terminal capability against short and medium range ballistic missiles
- Aegis BMD Ashore
- Increased number of ships and missiles
- More maritime ally involvement
Since the first intercept test conducted in January 2002, the Missile Defense Agency’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System has demonstrated 21 successful intercepts in 25 at sea events, including intercepts of two targets by two interceptors during a single test. This figure does not include the successful intercept of a non-functioning satellite during Operation Burnt Frost in February 2008.
