Missile Defense Agency

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, successfully conducted an intercept of an advanced Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) test target utilizing the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II with Software Upgrade (SWUP).

Known as Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM) 32, or Stellar Laelaps, the test demonstrated the capability to detect, track, engage, and intercept an MRBM target in the terminal phase of flight culminating in a live intercept by an Aegis Baseline 9 equipped ship.

Significantly, this test also represented the most robust participation in an Aegis test to date by U.S. ally Australia, who leveraged the event to demonstrate their own capabilities with participating air, land, and sea assets. In addition, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), the first Flight III Aegis Destroyer equipped with SPY-6 radar, successfully participated in this critical event in support of its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation campaign.

“This successful intercept against an advanced threat-representative target in the final stages of flight demonstrated the power and flexibility of the Aegis Weapon System paired with the Standard Missile 6,” said MDA Director Lieutenant General Heath Collins. “MDA is very grateful and honored to have Australia participate in this important test and we look forward to further collaboration with them in the future as we work together with all of our allies to maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.”

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