Boeing-Led Team Conducts Missile Defense System Dual Interceptor Test

A Boeing-led industry team and the Missile Defense Agency launched two ground-based interceptors to counter an intercontinental ballistic missile target during a test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.

Boeing said Monday one interceptor zeroed in on the ICBM target in space and the second GBI observed the intercept before homing in on additional debris as part of the “two-shot salvo” engagement test.

Northrop Grumman provided the ICBM target, which was fired from a missile defense test site in the Marshall Islands, and weapon task plans for the GBIs, while Raytheon supplied two Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicles launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as part of the GMD test flight.

Raytheon said the EKV system detected and destroyed the ICBM threat using the “hit-to-kill” technology as well as targeting and tracking data from its AN/TPY-2 and Sea-Based X-band radars.

“The data collected from this test will enhance missile defense for years to come and solidify confidence in the system,” said Paul Smith, a vice president and GMD program director at Boeing.

The test was conducted days after the Boeing-led team received a potential $4.1B contract modification from MDA to provide technical capabilities needed to expand and build up the GMD system.