Successful Missile Defense Test Against Multiple Targets

WESTERN PACIFIC (NNS) -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Operational Test Agency, Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, and U.S. Pacific Command, in conjunction with U.S. Army Soldiers from the Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, U.S. Navy Sailors aboard guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG-73), and U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 613th Air and Operations Center successfully conducted a complex missile defense flight test, resulting in the intercept of two medium-range ballistic missile targets.

The flight test was planned more than a year ago, and is not in any way connected to events in the Middle East.

The test was conducted in the vicinity of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site and surrounding areas in the western Pacific. The test stressed the ability of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems to function in a layered defense architecture and defeat a raid of two near-simultaneous ballistic missile targets.

The two medium-range ballistic missile targets were launched on operationally realistic trajectories towards a defended area near Kwajalein. Along with overhead space assets providing launch alerts, an Army-Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control (AN/TPY-2) radar in Forward Based Mode detected the targets and relayed track information to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system for further transmission to defending BMDS assets.

The USS Decatur with its Aegis Weapon System detected and tracked the first target with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar. The Aegis BMD weapon system developed a fire control solution, launched a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA missile, and successfully intercepted the target.

In a demonstration of BMDS layered defense capabilities, a second AN/TPY-2 radar in Terminal Mode, located with the THAAD weapon system, acquired and tracked the target missiles. THAAD developed a fire control solution, launched a THAAD interceptor missile, and successfully intercepted the second medium-range ballistic missile target. THAAD was operated by soldiers from the Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. As a planned demonstration of THAAD's layered defense capabilities, a second THAAD interceptor was launched at the target destroyed by Aegis as a contingency in the event the SM-3 did not achieve an intercept.

Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. MDA officials will extensively assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

The event, a designated Flight Test Operational-01 (FTO-01), demonstrated integrated, layered, regional missile defense capabilities to defeat a raid of two threat-representative medium-range ballistic missiles in a combined live-fire operational test. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen from multiple combatant commands operated the systems, and were provided a unique opportunity to refine operational doctrine and tactics while increasing confidence in the execution of integrated air and missile defense plans.

U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System programs have completed 62 successful hit-to-kill intercepts in 78 flight test attempts since 2001.

USS Decatur Returns from Deployment

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73) will return to San Diego Nov. 23 after its second six-month deployment in 18 months to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).

"This crew has operated at the tip of the spear for months-on-end, flawlessly," said Decatur's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Christopher Sweeney. "They have executed all six expanded core capabilities in the maritime strategy, and have an unmatched operational tempo."

Decatur was the only Ronald Reagan Strike Group ship to earn the Iraqi Defense Medal while attached to Commander, Task Force Iraqi Maritime. The ship defended the Al-Bashrah and Khawr al Amaya Oil Terminals, which account for 80 percent of the revenue used to support Iraqi reconstruction and transition. When not defending oil platforms, Decatur was attached to Commander, Task Force 152, responsible for maritime security operations, providing forward presence, and deterrence in the region.

Decatur helped strengthen partnerships and was the primary sea base for the terminals. The ship operated a small boat marina along with a heliport for parts and mail. The ship's visit, board, search and seizure teams conducted approach and assist visits with local dhows, and interdicted narcotics. Decatur was also the primary Ballistic Missile Defense asset in the Persian Gulf for a portion of their time there.

While in the 7th Fleet AOR, Decatur participated in a short-notice homeland defense mission as a primary BMD asset. Also, keeping with the ship's motto of "in pursuit of peace," while conducting a Theater Security Cooperation port visit to Thailand, the crew performed community relations events; they also conducted military-to-military engagement with subject matter expert exchanges', and operational planning for at-sea operations.

"The crew was resilient and always ready," said Sweeney. "We brought 505 feet of persistent American will to the maritime domain, and made a lasting impact on the forward deployed combatant commanders and our coalition partners."

Decatur helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the nation's maritime strategy when forward deployed.