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The
matrix below is a summary of the major flight tests of the booster rocket being
developed for the Missile Defense Agency’s ground-based midcourse missile
defense system, which was formerly known as the national missile defense
program’s ground-based intercept.
| Flight
Test Number |
Date |
Intercept? |
Notes |
| Boost Verification
(BV)-1 |
April 28, 2001 |
n/a |
This was a
“pathfinder” ground test to check all the procedures that lead up to
an actual flight test and included booster
ground handling, safety and flight termination system checks, and all
launch and safety steps. The
missile was not intended to be launched. |
| BV-2 |
Aug. 31, 200
1 |
n/a |
The
flight test was 18 months behind schedule.
The three-stage Boeing rocket tested with a mass-simulated kill
vehicle payload, did not attempt a missile intercept.
It appears there was an anomaly in vehicle roll control in
first-stage operation beginning at about 33 sec. into the mission and that
could affect kill vehicle performance in an operational scenario.
The second- and third-stage motors performed normally. |
| BV-3 |
Dec. 13, 2001
|
n/a |
Failure.
The BV veered off course 30 seconds after launching and was ordered
to self-destruct. |
| BV-4 |
Unknown |
n/a |
At one point, this
test was scheduled for summer 2002 but apparently has been postponed.
There is no recent word as to the current status of this test. |
| BV-5 |
Late winter 2003 |
n/a |
Lockheed Martin is
developing the BV-Plus, a modified version of the three-stage
commercial-off-the-shelf boost vehicle being developed by Boeing.
BV-5 is not a designated intercept test and will not demonstrate
functionality between the payload and the booster. |
| BV-6 |
Spring 2003 |
n/a |
This will be a test
of OBV, Orbital’s alternate boost vehicle. Because Boeing’s boost
vehicle program had undergone so many problems, Orbital was awarded a
contract in March 2002 to develop a new alternate boost vehicle. After the
Orbital and the Lockheed Martin versions have undergone test launches, MDA
will choose which one it will use for the GMD program.
Orbital’s rocket is based on its commercial boost vehicles, the
Pegasus and the
Taurus. BV-6 is not a
designated intercept test and will not demonstrate functionality between
the payload and the booster. |
Sources:
BV-1:
“BMDO conducts first verification test of new
missile defense booster,” Defense
Daily,
May 2, 2001
BV-2: “Anti-missile
concepts jockey for position,” Aviation Week & Space Technology,
Sept. 10, 2001
BV-3:
“A setback for missile shield as booster rocket fails test,” New
York Times,
Dec. 14, 2001
BV-5:
“Martin developing advanced booster for missile defense,” Aerospace
Daily,
Aug. 8, 2002
BV-6:
“Pentagon signs Orbital to build defense rocket,” Washington
Times,
March 5, 2002
; “Boeing finalizes development, test plan for new missile defense boosters,” Defense
Daily,
July
10, 2002
For more information contact Philip E. Coyle, Martha.krebs@att.net
or Victoria Samson, vsamson@cdi.org.
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