Missle Defense Agency

U.S Department of Defense

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Missle Launch

The Elements of Success

The Missile Defense Agency’s layered system consists of separate operating units. Each of these works in unison with the others in the field to make up the greater Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Organized into different system elements, each component addresses a different facet of missile defense:

Advanced Technology

Charged with the discovery, development and adaptation of new and innovative technologies and concepts. Our Advanced Technology group utilizes engineers, mathematicians, researchers and other creative thinkers.

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)

Aegis employs the latest “sea-based” BMD-capable weapon systems, with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis cruisers and destroyers armed with Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors. This element is designed to detect and defeat 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. MDA manages the continuing development, testing and acquisition effort. Applicants must be trained as computer professionals, information technology specialists, engineers or other professionals.

Command, Control, Battle Management & Communications (C2BMC)

A diversity of technology integrations enable communication and full interoperability among the different system elements, between the many layers of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, and the military command structure. This is a complex system that demands highly-skilled communications specialists and computer and information specialists.

Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

GMD supports an array of sensors, radars, and ground-based interceptors that use hit-to-kill technology to defeat long-range ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase. The interceptor's kill vehicle uses guidance transmitted to and from its own on-board sensors to close with, and destroy the target warhead well outside Earth’s atmosphere using only the kinetic force of the direct collision to destroy the target warhead. MDA manages the development, testing and acquisition effort. The GMD group requires training as an aerospace engineer, mechanical engineer, computer engineer or others.

PAC-3/MEADS

The most mature hit-to-kill weapon system of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) System, is now operational and fielded by the U. S. Army.

Sensors

An effective layered defense incorporates a wide-range of BMDS sensors to detect and track threat missiles through all phases of their trajectory. Satellites and a family of land- and sea-based radars provide worldwide sensor coverage.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

THAAD is a rapidly and strategically deployable, land-based mobile area defense system that can travel with our forces to protect them in the field. It is the only missile defense system capable of intercepting short- to intermediate-range missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmosphere.