MDA

Elements

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense

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

Ballistic Missile Defense 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.
  
  

Ballistic Missile Defense 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 24 Aegis BMD combatants (5 cruisers [CGs] and 19 destroyers [DDGs]) in the U.S. Navy. Of the 24 ships, 16 are assigned to the Pacific Fleet and 8 to the Atlantic Fleet. 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. Deployment begins in 2018.

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
  

[top of page]