4/27/2007 – Success! Success!
MDAA was present at Barking Sands, Hawaii, when at 11:33 a.m., Hawaii time, on Thursday, April 26th, 2007, off of the shores of Kauai, Hawaii the Aegis Cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and its crew successfully intercepted a ballistic missile 100 miles in space and a cruise missile 1,500 feet in the atmosphere simultaneously.
This operational realistic test by an unsuspecting crew of the US Aegis Cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) several hundred miles off the coast of Hawaii engaged multiple threats by using sensors for space and air, as well as using auto and manual missile releases to intercept a 400 km range ballistic missile in space and a simulated attacking aircraft to the ship at the same time.
This test is the 8th successful test of 10 tests for the Aegis sea-based missile defense system for an 80% success rate. It is the 6th successful intercept in the past year. The test also marked the 27th successful hit to kill intercept in tests since 2001.
A significant and technical accomplishment of the test demonstrated the capability of an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ship performing multi-missions, as well as being able to adequately defend itself from sophisticated threats. In real terms, this operational realistic test could technically represent an Aegis ship in the Persian Gulf defending itself, as well as US troops, allies and assets in the neighboring states from Iran.
The success of this Aegis test builds confidence for our Navy and our international partners like Japan, Spain, Australia, The Netherlands and others in our sea-based missile defense systems as the mobility, multi-mission capability and defense for ports, cities and their respective homeland continues to be proven. This successful test sends a clear signal to those in power in Pyongyang and Teheran.
It also sends a positive message to the Congress and the President of the United States. And even more importantly, it makes a strong impression as a counter-proliferator to those who seek to purchase or develop ballistic missiles.
Today, MDAA, its members and Champions in Hawaii have the great privilege and honor to pay tribute to the Captain and Crew of the USS Erie for their outstanding performance.
