Current News


29 DECEMBER 2008

Missile Defense Agency Successfully Completes Ground Test for Data Collection to Improve Modeling and Simulation

The GTF-03b test event was a path-finding System-level Post-Flight Reconstruction (SPFR) to provide data in support of the validation of Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) models and simulations.   Full Release (PDF)
5 DECEMBER 2008

Missile Defense Flight Test Results in Successful Intercept

A threat-representative target missile was launched from Kodiak, Alaska at 3:04pm (EST). This long-range ballistic target was tracked by several land- and sea-based radars, which sent targeting information to the interceptor missile. At 3:23pm (EST) the Ground-Based Interceptor was launched from the Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The interceptor's exoatmospheric kill vehicle was carried into the target's predicted trajectory in space, maneuvered to the target, performed discrimination, and intercepted the threat warhead.   Full Release (PDF)


3 DECEMBER 2008

Multiple Kill Vehicle Completes Hover Test

Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly announced that a test of the Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) was conducted Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the National Hover Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Preliminary indications are that planned test objectives were achieved. Objectives of the test included having the MKV-L hover under its own power and prove its capability to recognize and track a surrogate target in a flight environment. During the test, the MKV-L's propulsion system demonstrated maneuverability while tracking a target. The MKV-L transmitted video and flight telemetry to the ground.   Full Release (PDF)
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It is the policy of the United States to deploy as soon as is technologically possible an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending the territory of the United States against limited ballistic missile attack (whether accidental, unauthorized, or deliberate) with funding subject to the annual authorization of appropriations and the annual appropriation of funds for National Missile Defense.

— National Missile Defense
Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-38)