Missile Defense Agency

Airborne Laser Test Bed Experiment Delayed

The planned experiment involving the Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) today is delayed because of unsuccessful tracking beam calibration engagements.

Airborne Laser Test Bed Experiment Postponed

The Airborne Laser Test Bed experiment scheduled for Sunday morning is postponed.

State of Israel and the United States Sign Upper-Tier Missile Defense Agreement

The Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel and the United States Department of Defense today co-signed an agreement to cooperatively develop a high-altitude Arrow-3 interceptor and to integrate it with Israel’s missile defense systems. This new Upper-Tier Project Agreement will give Israel the capability to engage ballistic missile threats at maximum range, and the ability to intercept weapons of mass destruction outside the earth’s atmosphere. Together with other Israeli missile defense systems, an upper tier interceptor will provide integrated, multi-layered, defenses providing Israeli forces with multiple interception opportunities of in-bound ballistic missiles.

THAAD System Intercepts Target in Successful Missile Defense Flight Test

The Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army soldiers of the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss, Texas, successfully conducted an intercept test for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System today. A target missile was launched at approximately 9:32 p.m. Hawaii time (3:32 a.m. EDT, 29 June), and about five minutes later a THAAD interceptor missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved.

Missile Defense Agency Honored by CIO Magazine as a Leader in Information Technology

International Data Group's CIO magazine recently announced that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) CIO organization as a recipient of the 2010 CIO 100 award.  The 23rd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). 

Modified Ground-Based Interceptor Completes Successful Flight Test

The Missile Defense Agency successfully conducted a flight test of a two-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 3:25 p.m. PDT. The two-stage GBI is undergoing developmental testing as part of the Department of Defense’s strategy to invest in a new missile defense option which can contribute to our homeland’s defense. Results from the test will characterize two-stage performance and design for potential future missile defense applications.