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The matrix below is a summary of the major flight tests in the Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system.
| Flight
Test Number |
Date |
Intercept? |
Notes |
| Control
Test Vehicle-1A (CTV-1A) |
Sept. 24, 1999
|
n/a |
This
test was the first launch of the SM-3 missile, which showed a successful
second and third stage separation and flight endurance – once it
launched (it actually was supposed to be launched on Sept. 23, but did not
fire due to a computer error; the test had to be repeated the following
day). |
| FTR-1
(the first risk reduction flight and the second flight overall in the
Aegis LEAP intercept (ALI) test series)
|
July 14,
2000
|
n/a |
The
third stage of the SM-3 failed to separate.
An errant interrupt signal was transmitted to the missile that
caused it to fail immediately after launch. The software, which had been
used in an earlier test without problems, had to be re-coded. |
| Flight
Test Round-1A; a repeat of FTR-1 (third flight test of nine scheduled) |
Jan. 25, 2001
|
n/a |
This
test was conducted to evaluate the SM-3's airframe stability and control
through a nominal kinetic warhead separation. The test launch achieved
third-stage separation, third-stage motor burn, and attitude control
through nominal KW separation. |
| Flight
Mission
(FM)-2 |
Jan. 25, 2002
|
Yes |
This
fly-by test was not intended to be an intercept: its objective
was to evaluate the SM-3’s fourth-stage kinetic warhead guidance,
navigation and control. The
SM-3 was launched by the USS Erie Aegis cruiser against an Aries target
missile, which has been reported as having been five times longer and a
third wider than any medium-range ballistic missile that the SMD is being
designed to shoot down. It was
the first fully operational SM-3 with a live
solid divert and attitude control system to steer the kinetic warhead into
the target. |
| FM-3 |
June 13, 2002
|
Yes |
In this
designated intercept test, an SM-3 launched from the USS Erie Aegis
cruiser successfully intercepted an Aries ballistic missile target. This
was the fifth of nine planned developmental tests. FM-3 only intended to
show that a Navy interceptor can hit a ballistic missile target; FM-3 did
not attempt to demonstrate lethality. To be "killed",
certain types of enemy missiles must be hit at the right spot for a hit to
also be a kill. This will be attempted on FM-4. |
| FM-4 |
Nov. 20, 2002 |
Yes |
FM-4 marked the first time a Navy theater test target was intercepted during its ascent phase. An SM-3 missile was launched from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie to counter an Orbital Sciences Test Target Vehicle that was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kaui, Hawaii. The SM-3 missile had an altitude of 93 miles at the time of impact; because of this, its flight time was shorter by about a minute and a half. FM-4 demonstrated the SM-3's ability to switch its aimpoint while in flight to increase its accuracy, according to Raytheon program officials. FM-4 was the first of six planned flight tests to develop an emergency sea-based short- and medium-range ballistic missile defense capability. The next flight test is tentatively scheduled for April or May of 2003. |
Sources:
CTV-1A:
DOT&E FY 00 report; “Navy
conducts first flight of SM-3 for NTW program,” Aerospace
Daily,
Sept. 28, 1999
FTR-1:
DOT&E FY 00 report; “NTW
flight test fails,” Defense
Daily,
July 18, 2000
FTR-1A:
“Standard Missile-3 flight test provides data for NTW,” Defense
Daily,
Jan. 29, 2001
FM-2:
“Intercept starts long road to sea-based missile defense,” Aviation
Week & Space Technology,
Feb. 4, 2002
FM-3:
“Navy reports success in missile defense test,” New
York Times, June 14, 2002; “Navy missile defense
hit opens door for variety of test scenarios from sea,” Defense
Daily, June 17, 2002
FM-4:
"Standard Missile-3 demonstrates aimpoint shift maneuver in latest SMD flight test," Defense Daily, Dec. 4, 2002
For more information contact Philip E. Coyle, Martha.krebs@att.net
or Victoria Samson, vsamson@cdi.org.
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