Strategic Capabilities of SM-3 Block IIA Interceptors (June 30, 2016)
In two previous posts, I made estimated projections forward in time of the number of U.S. Navy ballistic missile defense (BMD) capable ships and the number of SM-3 BMD interceptors.[1] These...
View ArticleSM-3 Block IIA Testing Chronology (July 7, 2016)
SM-3 Block IIA Testing Chronology SCD PTV-01 (October 2013): SM-3 Cooperative Development (SCD) Propulsion Test Vehicle (PTV)-01. A test of the Block IIA booster rocket and canister, reportedly...
View ArticleTHAAD Flight and Intercept Tests Since 2005 (July 10, 2016)
Flight tests of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system since developmental testing resumed in 2005 and planned future tests. Figure 1. THAAD intercept tests since 2005. In April 2012,...
View ArticleTHAAD Radar Ranges (July 17, 2018)
A central element of the debate surrounding the recent decision by South Korea to allow the United States to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system on its territory...
View ArticleThe Sea-Based Terminal Program and the SM-6 Dual Interceptors (July 25, 2016)
Sea-Based Terminal Most of the attention given the US Navy’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program focuses on its various versions of the SM-3 anti-missile interceptor. These missiles, the...
View ArticleMDA’s Space-Based Kill Assessment (SKA) Experiment (August 9, 2016)
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans to deploy a Space-based Kill Assessment (SKA) system by about mid-2017. The SKA system, which MDA describes as an experiment, will consist of small sensor...
View ArticleChronology of MDA’s Plans for Laser Boost-Phase Defense (August 26, 2016)
The Missile Defense Agency plans to produce “in the 2025 time frame” an airborne laser capable of destroying ballistic missiles in their boost phase.[1] As a start in looking at this program, I first...
View ArticleDid the Divert Thrusters Fail in the CTV-02+ Test? (January 18, 2017)
On January 28, 2016 the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted its most recent flight test of its Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) national missile defense system. One of the key objectives of...
View ArticleAegis SM-3 Block IIA First Intercept Test Successful, but Testing Schedule...
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently announced the completion of the first intercept test for the Aegis SM-3 Block IIA interceptor.[1] The test was designated SFTM-1 (SM-3 Cooperative...
View ArticleUpdated List of Claims about GMD Effectiveness (May 12, 2017)
This is an updated list (previous version was April 14, 2016) of claims by U.S. government officials about the effectiveness of the U.S. Ground-Based Midcourse (GMD) national missile defense system....
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