Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is the sea-based element of the Missile Defense Agency's Ballistic Missile Defense System that has been tactically certified, deployed and contributes to the ongoing Ballistic Missile Defense System under development. Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense leverages and builds upon capabilities inherent in the Aegis Weapon System, Standard Missile, and Navy Ballistic Missile Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence systems. Aegis is at sea, on patrol, certified, and on alert, performing a strategic role in Homeland Defense.

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Block 2004

Long Range Surveillance and Track

• Aegis Destroyers, on Ballistic Missile Defense patrol, detect and track Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and report track data to the missile defense system. This capability shares tracking data to cue other missile defense sensors and provides fire control data to Ground-based Midcourse Defense interceptors located at Fort Greely, Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. To date, sixteen Aegis Cruisers and Destroyers have been upgraded with the Long Range Surveillance and Track capability.

• At-sea tracking events and flight tests have verified the capability to track Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and demonstrated the connectivity and reliability of long-haul transmission of track data (across eight time zones) necessary to support missile defense situational awareness, target cueing, and engagements.

Engagement Capability

• Aegis Cruisers and Long Range Surveillance and Track Destroyers are being equipped with the capability to intercept short and medium range, unitary and separating ballistic missile threats with the Standard Missile 3.

• Flight tests are conducted using operational warships, operated by fleet Sailors and Officers. Each test progressively increases the operational realism and complexity of targets and scenarios. To date, there were seven successful intercepts out of nine attempts. The next flight mission is scheduled for spring, 2007.

• The engagement capability has been installed in three Aegis Cruisers and seven Destroyers. The capability was tactically certified in the summer of 2006.

Deployment

• Sometime in 2009, 18 Aegis ships, three Cruisers and 15 Destroyers, will be identically equipped with the Long Range Surveillance & Track and the operational engagement capabilities.

Future Capabilities

• Increased precision track data via radar signal processing upgrades, improving both Long Range Surveillance and Track and engagement capabilities.

• Defense against intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

• Increased international participation in sea-based ballistic missile defense capabilities.