U.S. Navy Tests Aegis

Engineers launched a single-stage dummy missile from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, to provide as target for interceptor fired from Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie. This was part of a military test to simulate the destruction of two short-range ballistic missiles more than 160 kilometers over the Pacific ocean, in the first simultaneous test in space.

The test marked Lockheed Martin's 10th and 11th successful ballistic missile intercepts for Aegis sea-based System in 13 attempts. This simultaneous engagement means that both the missiles were in mid flight at the same moment, even if they were not intercepted at the same time.

The Aegis combat system is an integrated missile guidance system implemented and used by the United State Navy. This is one of the most advanced and most capable defense systems available in the world at the time, being also in use of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Spanish Navy and others.

Aegis is an advanced weapon system that uses powerful computer and radar to locate and destroy hostile targets. It is capable of destroying most surface launched missiles, subsurface and the air.

Aegis funded by the United States is part of a fledgling shield designed to destroy potential deadly warhead, fired from potential enemies like North Korea or Iran. MDA said the test marked the 32nd and 33rd successful intercept, since 2001, but failed to specify out of how many previous attempts. The crew operating the Aegis-equipped missile cruiser did not know when the missiles to be destroyed would be launched.

The current Aegis system uses Standard Missile-3 interceptor rockets, a type of surface to air missile, developed originally by the United States Navy. The target missiles were single stage missiles, with war heads that do not separate from the rocket booster.

Anti-missile shields have made intercepts in about half of the 13 attempts, accordind to critics who remain skeptical about U.S prospects of more complex scenarios involving long-range missiles, separating warheads and decoys.

The U.S. government has allocated a budget of 8.7 billion dollars for the missile defense programs. The Japanese destroyer Kongo has been recently equipped with the Aegis ballistic missile defense system.

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