Aegis Ashore System Conducts Successful Flight Test

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2014 – The Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy, and sailors at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and Pacific Missile Range Facility, successfully conducted the first flight test involving components of the Aegis Ashore system, according to a Defense Department news release issued today.

During the test, a simulated ballistic missile target was acquired, tracked, and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System, according to the release. At approximately 7:35 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, May 20 (1:35 a.m. EDT, May 21), the Aegis Weapon System fired a Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IB guided missile from the Vertical Launch System.

Several fire control and engagement functions were exercised during the test, the release said. A live target missile launch was not planned for this flight test.

The primary purpose of the test, designated Aegis Ashore Controlled Test Vehicle (AA CTV)-01, was to confirm the functionality of Aegis Ashore system by launching a land-based SM-3 missile, according to the release.

The Aegis Ashore system, the release said, uses a nearly identical configuration of the Vertical Launch System, fire control system, and SPY-1 radar currently in use aboard Aegis cruisers and destroyers deployed around the world.

This flight test supports development of the Aegis Ashore capability of Phase 2 of the European Phased Adaptive Approach, planned to begin operations in Romania in 2015, according to the release.