Data From Northrop Grumman-Built STSS Demonstration Satellites Cue Successful Live-Fire Intercept of Ballistic Missile Target
13 Février 2013 - 11:16PM
Space-based sensors can expand the range and effectiveness of the
U.S. Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS)
capabilities, a recent missile defense test has shown.
Conducted Feb. 13 by the Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency
(MDA), an Aegis "launch on remote" test used tracking data from the
Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators satellites to
form a fire control solution for the missile interceptor. The
satellites were built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) as
prime contractor; Raytheon supplied the infrared sensor payloads
for both satellites.
The quality and accuracy of STSS-D tracking data were sufficient
for a Navy Aegis guided missile cruiser to launch a Standard
Missile-3 Block 1A interceptor "on remote" before the on-board
radar's track could be used to launch the interceptor.
"This test shows decisively that space-based sensors are a
ballistic missile's worst nightmare," said Doug Young, vice
president, missile defense and warning, Northrop Grumman Aerospace
Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif. "The mature technologies onboard
both STSS-D satellites are demonstrating capabilities like
continuous missile tracking that are possible only from the high
ground of space."
During the test, designated FTM-20, the satellites leveraged
their low-Earth orbit position to acquire and track the missile
target and deliver the data via the Ballistic Missile Defense
System to an Aegis cruiser at sea to quickly form a firing solution
and launch the SM-3 1A interceptor.
"Aegis launch on remote essentially expands the area an Aegis
cruiser can defend by leveraging satellite data to engage the
threat earlier. This is a true 'force multiplier' because it uses
existing interceptors," said David Bloodgood, the company's STSS
program manager. "The STSS-D satellites demonstrated that future
low Earth Orbit space capabilities can be a force multiplier for
existing missile defense systems."
Both satellites participate in tests such as FTM-20 to
demonstrate the ability of a space sensor to provide
high-precision, real-time tracking of missiles and midcourse
objects that enable closing the fire control loops with BMDS
interceptors.
They use sensors capable of detecting visible and infrared light
to track missiles through their full course of flight. Lessons
learned from these tests will inform future operational BMDS space
capabilities.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government
and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
CONTACT: Bob Bishop
310-812-5227 (office)
310-251-0261 (mobile)
bob.j.bishop@ngc.com
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)
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