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The US Missile Defense Agency, Northern Command, Space Force and industry-partners, Boeing and Northrop Grumman have successfully conducted an intercept of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by an upgraded Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI).
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The successful test demonstrated the rapid pace the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has embraced for delivering the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) capability, allowing it to engage threats faster.
The test employed an upgraded GBI with a Capability Enhanced-II Block 1 Exo-Atmospheric Kill Vehicle, this test was also the first test of a three-stage GBI operating in two-stage mode, which means the third stage was commanded not to ignite and allowed earlier release of the kill vehicle, providing closer range engagements.
The primary objective of the test was to demonstrate the ability of GMD to engage a target in the expanded engagement space made possible by the GBI in two-stage mode. This test was also the first integrated GMD flight test using sensor data from the Army Navy/ Transportable Radar Surveillance Model-2 Forward Based Mode with and Sea-Based X-Band radar with upgrades.
Scott Lehr, vice president of launch and missile defense systems, Northrop Grumman said, "As the threat landscape advances, it’s critical to ensure our homeland defense systems are tested and proven in the event of an attack. This successful test demonstrates we are ready and have confidence in the MDA’s end-to-end missile defense solutions that are deployed today."
This new capability, known as a 2-/3-Stage selectable GBI, will be deployed in the next GMD capability delivery to the Warfighter. This capability gives the Warfighter greater flexibility in executing the defense of the homeland while significantly expanding the battlespace for successful threat engagement.
MDA Director Lieutenant General Heath Collins said, "The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we continue to provide enhanced capabilities for our existing Ground Based Interceptor fleet while we rapidly design and deliver the leap-ahead technology of the Next Generation Interceptor."
Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command added, "The Ground-Based Interceptor is an important effector in a globally-integrated system that connects sensors to decision makers to provide the nation's senior leaders with options and time. Today's test bolsters strategic stability in a dynamic security environment."
Northrop Grumman serves as a strategic partner to Boeing for the GMD development and sustainment contract, providing development, integration, operations and sustainment of the ground systems as well as the interceptor boost vehicle.
The GMD element of the Missile Defense System defends the US homeland against ballistic missile threats from rogue Nations such as North Korea and Iran, it provides the Commander, USNORTHCOM the capability to engage and destroy intermediate-and long-range ballistic missile threats to the US homeland.
The capability is not designed or capable of defeating large and sophisticated ICBM, air-, or sea-launched ballistic missile threats from Russia and the People's Republic of China.
