MDA

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense

Status

Deployed Capability

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 3.6.1 is the current Aegis BMD configuration operating in the Fleet. This configuration provides exo-atmospheric engagement capability against short-, medium-, and some intermediate-range ballistic missiles with the SM-3 Block IA missile. It also includes a Sea-Based Terminal defense capability using BMD modified SM-2 Block IV missiles to engage short range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase. Lastly, Aegis BMD 3.6.1 detects and tracks ballistic missiles of all ranges – including Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and reports track data to the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). This capability shares tracking data to cue other missile defense sensors and provides fire control data to Ground-based Midcourse Defense interceptors located in Alaska and California. It also cues other weapon system elements of the BMDS including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Patriot and other Navy BMD ships. There are 22 ships with the Aegis BMD 3.6.1 configuration.

Aegis BMD 3.6.1’s tracking and engagement capabilities have also been demonstrated in three Fleet exercises by the warfighter.

Aegis BMD is the first MDA missile defense system to be procured by our allies. Japan has upgraded their Aegis-configured destroyers with the BMD capability through Foreign Military Sales cases.

Phased, Adaptive Approach

On September 17, 2009, President Obama announced a new Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) after the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended a revision to the previous Administration’s plan for missile defense in Europe.

Aegis BMD is the cornerstone of the PAA. To ensure that Europe is protected from an evolving ballistic missile threat, SM-3 upgrades are being phased in to deployed Aegis BMD ships and land-based facilities during this decade. Each SM-3 upgrade provides more capability for countering ballistic missile threats, defending an increasingly larger area, improving resilience against threat technical developments and adapting to an evolving security environment.

Phase 1 is already underway. USS MONTEREY (CG-61), upgraded with the
operational Aegis BMD 3.6.1 Weapon System and armed with proven SM-3 missiles, is currently in theater. In this first phase, Aegis BMD engagement capable warships are provided for the protection of southern Europe. In Phase 2 (2015), the more advanced SM-3 Block IB missile is deployed at sea and on land. The addition of land-based sites significantly increases coverage to NATO countries against Iranian ballistic missiles. For Phase 3 (2018), the SM-3 Block IIA provides full coverage of NATO countries against short, medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles.

A critical European PAA Phase 1 milestone was achieved when Aegis BMD 3.6.1/ SM-3 Block IA missile destroyed an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile target. Watch the FTM-15 video.

 

Meeting the Demand Signal

More Ships

In response to the combatant commanders' (European, Central and Pacific Commands) increased demand for Aegis BMD capability and the president’s PAA for missile defense of Europe, the number of Aegis BMD ships need to increase. The Navy and MDA continue to jointly respond to the need for operational Aegis BMD capability through BMD upgrades to Aegis ships, Aegis Modernization Program and new construction. ln FYs 10 and 11, MDA has placed more funds to accelerate the number of Aegis BMD ships in the Fleet and the Navy added funds to bring online three additional BMD ships and upgrade one ship to the most advanced configuration, BMD 4.0.1. Together, MDA and the Navy have added four ships overthe past two years and will add ten ships in FYs 12 and 13 to respond to COCOMs' demand. The Future Years Defense Plan increases the total number of funded Aegis BMD-capable ships from 22 to 41 by FY16, including three new construction DDG-51 class ships, DDGs 113 - 115.

More Missiles

Aegis BMD’s FY10 budget increased substantially due to the programmed increase in SM-3 missile inventory, from a previously planned inventory of 147 to 329. This increase represents a fundamental shift in focus of BMD programs to capabilities for protecting forward-deployed forces, allies, and other friendly nations against the large number of existing short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats. This shift is consistent with the findings of the Joint Capabilities Mix studies conducted by the Joint Staff over the last three years. In PB12, the SM-3 inventory is planned to increase to341 missiles by 2016.

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