Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense

Future Capabilities

The Aegis BMD’s role in missile defense evolves just as the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) evolves, to meet its mission to engage ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight through multi-layered defense.

When initially fielded in 2004, Aegis BMD’s played the role of a forward deployed sensor.  Aegis BMD ships could be forward deployed to provide early warning of an ICBM launch and to transmit tracking data to the ground-based interceptor command center.

In 2005-2006, Aegis BMD’s role evolved to include an engagement capability. Aegis BMD ships, armed with the SM-3 Block IA, were capable of intercepting short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the midcourse phase of flight.

Today, Aegis BMD has evolved further to include:

  • Engaging with short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in their terminal trajectory.
  • Enabling engagement of more sophisticated ballistic missiles.
  • Working with the U.S. Navy in a joint effort to integrate the Aegis BMD capability with the Aegis Modernization Program’s Open Architecture (OA) Infrastructure. The Aegis OA Program is key to expanding the Aegis BMD capability to the entire Aegis fleet, a planned total of 84 ships.
  • Focusing on joint U.S. and Japan development of a 21-inch diameter variant of the SM-3 missile, designated as SM-3 Block IIA, working with the SM-3 Cooperative Development Program.