Posted on 09/03/2006 10:44:33 AM PDT by WmShirerAdmirer
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The Boeing Company Friday announced the successful test of a Ground-Based Interceptor against an incoming, or long range, ballistic missile.
The interceptor was launched from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska at 1:22 p.m. Eastern time Friday. At 1:39 pm, an interceptor was launched from from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
"After flying into space, the interceptor released its exo-atmospheric kill vehicle, which proceeded to track the target warhead. ... ," Boeing said. "Although not a primary objective of the test, the kill vehicle intercepted the warhead and destroyed it. This was the first intercept with an operationally configured interceptor."
The company said that the successful test laid the groundwork for the GBI program's planned intercept test later this year.
"Today's successful test is a major accomplishment for the GMD team and demonstrates a significant step in GMD's evolution to a robust and reliable capability for the warfighter," said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "A key radar collected target information and shared it with an operationally configured interceptor, the interceptor used that data to zero in on a target in space, and battle managers oversaw this activity in real time from thousands of miles away. The team is energized and focused as they continue to see the pivotal role they are playing in developing and deploying a missile defense system that protects the United States ."
Boeing is the prime contractor for the GBI program. Its industry partners include Raytheon, Orbital Sciences Corp., and Northrop Grumman.
This is great news for national security. Even better news for national security would be for Democrats to not gain control of Congress.
Gotta love DoD euphemisms! But shouldn't it be "exo-atmospheric terminate with extreme prejudice vehicle?"
It ticked off N Kor. China could not care less.
BTTT
What? Where just getting around to doing this now?
I remember from one of the many other threads which I read all of only because the ABM is based right down the road and some of my neighbors work there.
This test was attempted several months ago, but the interceptor failed to launch because of a rusty hinge. The hinge item has been replaced on all interceptors and the result was this success.
I view the ABM as a layer of safety. We don't have to immediately fire a Minuteman III broadsides at the first sign of an enemy launch. Things should be much calmer on this planet now, and that is a big change.
I suspect China is rather intensely interested. They just are smart enough not to mouth off about it.
China could use an ABM system. They are beginning to have some infrastructure worth defending.
Mr.Ills mad because,in effect,it makes his'arsenal'moot.The only cards he holds for extortion.
Fascism! [exits screaming stage left]
I haven't seen it yet, I just got here. There was one yesterday (same WND article, different author) that skyrocketed to something like ten comments.
China could care less because if they play there cards right, when the Dems are back in control, they will have this technology too. Then they will know how to counter it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.