Missile Defense Agency:
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in conjunction with the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Pacific Command, today completed a ground test to assess the performance of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Throughout the 12-day test, ballistic missile defense systems participated in various simulated threat scenarios to evaluate how the system would respond in the event of an actual attack. MDA conducts ground tests regularly to help the agency and combatant commanders develop missile defense doctrine, train operators and assess the current system.
This test, called GTD-06 Part 2, provided a comprehensive assessment of ballistic missile defense system functionality. Formal testing began Sept. 19 to support the decision to increase fielding of ground-based interceptors from 30 to 44 by the end of 2017. The test also supported the integration of an additional In-Flight Interceptor Communications System Data Terminal (IDT) into the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. The IDT provides communication between the GMD Fire Control nodes and the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). It ensures rapid transmission of messages to and from the EKV during flight.
GTD-06 Part 2 also allowed operators to exercise their tactics, techniques and procedures while conducting various test scenarios.
Ballistic missile defense elements involved in the test included the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2) radars, Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communication (C2BMC) system, Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR), Cobra Dane radar, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system, Patriot weapon system, Sea Based X-Band Radar (SBX) and the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS).
The Missile Defense Agency’s mission is to develop, test and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies and friends against all ranges of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.
