Aegis Ashore is the land-based component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system element. Aegis Ashore adapts the present and future Aegis BMD capabilities to address the evolving ballistic missile security environment. Aegis Ashore uses many similar components that are used onboard the Navy’s new construction Aegis BMD Destroyers (AN/SPY-1 Radar, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) systems, computer processors, display system, power supplies and water coolers).

The land-based system is designed to be removable to support worldwide deployment. In addition to Aegis BMD at sea, Aegis Ashore is part of Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) Phases II and III.

The deckhouse was designed in accordance with building codes. For performance, the deckhouse was designed at SPY-1 radar height and spacing similar to an Aegis destroyer. The remaining structure of the deckhouse was populated to accommodate weapon system, communications equipment, and support requirements.

The Aegis Ashore combat system and sensors are the similar as those installed on our Aegis BMD destroyers.

The operational Aegis Ashore missile defense system will be operated and maintained by a mix of Sailors, civilians and contractors. Each Aegis combat system watch team is composed of eleven personnel - one officer and 10 enlisted personnel from several source ratings. U.S. and host nation military, civilian and contractor personnel will provide a variety of services including medical, logistics, security, food service, public works and barracks management.

Although the weapon system components are identical to the shipboard set, the distance between the launcher and the deckhouse as well as adaptation of the system to operate in a land environment necessitates testing to verify capability. The test program will support deployment decisions and upgrades of future PAA capabilities.

Aegis Ashore will conduct flight tests at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Each test will increase the operational realism and complexity of targets and scenarios and will be observed by Navy and Defense Department test agents.

Aegis Ashore is expected to be certified for operation in the European theater by end of CY15. Aegis Ashore at the Pacific Missile Range Facility is a test center. It will not be certified, but will support certification testing for Aegis Ashore in Europe.

No. The issues identified in the recent GAO report do not alter our achievements, to date, or progress toward implementing each phase of the EPAA on the stated timeline. The EPAA remains on schedule and fully funded to meet the stated timeline.

Check out the information on the Aegis Ashore page and the images and video in the Aegis Ashore Media Gallery.

All of the elements of the BMDS are described in our System section.

If you still have questions, check out the FAQs for:

• Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD),
• Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC),
• Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD),
• PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3),
• Sensors, and
• Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).