Successful Missile Defense Intercept Test Takes Place Off Hawaii

MDA.MIL ^ | April 6, 2007 | MDA

[RDTF]

Lieutenant General Henry “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the completion of a successful intercept test for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense element at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This test involved the successful intercept of a “mid endo-atmospheric” (inside earth’s atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a “SCUD”-type ballistic missile launched from a mobile platform positioned off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. The interceptor was launched from the THAAD launch complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. This was the 26th successful “hit to kill” intercept for elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System since 2001, and the third successful THAAD intercept in the current program phase. The target missile was launched at approximately 8:42 p.m. Hawaii Time, April 5 (2:42 a.m. EDT April 6). Approximately three minutes later the THAAD interceptor missile was launched and approximately two minutes later the intercept occurred over the Pacific Ocean. Soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas operated all THAAD equipment during the test, conducting operations of the launcher, fire control and communications and radar. Their interaction with the complete THAAD system provided valuable test and operations experience for the soldiers and enhanced the operational realism of the test. This was the first THAAD interceptor mission that was considered a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) test, meaning that more than one element of the BMDS participated in the test. One of the objectives of this test was demonstrating successful beyond-line-of-sight communications with a radar aboard a U.S. Navy Aegis ship, as well as communications links with the Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system and the U.S. Air Force Space-Based Infrared Sensors (SBIRS) system.

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[Tallguy]

What I’m suggesting is that a massive first-strike might be a waste of warshots (due to the aforementioned ‘fratricide’ problem). Nobody really knows, but that is considered a strong possibility, if not a likelihood.

If it works that way then the defender’s (second shooter) strike could actually have more weight.

Then you have to consider that Russia & China are far too remote for boost-phase intercept (unless a space-based system is developed). That means that you need enough mid-course & terminal missiles to handle the MIRV bus & individual warheads (& decoys) respectively. Given the probabilities of intercept, that’s a massive number of interceptors.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m entirely in favor of ABM Systems. I’m just suggesting that we need a space-based system if we’re going to have any chance at stopping even a mid-size attack from a 1st or 2nd rate nuclear nation.

IOW’s we see the same threats, it’s just that I think earth-based hit-to-kill systems are not the answer for a full-up missile defense.

[freemike]

Well, I basically agree with everything you are saying. It is also too bad that we have not further explored a moon base. President Bush had talked about this,, I have wondered if much has happened. This has been a great missed opportunity.

[GrandEagle]

LeMay: (silence)

ROTFLMBO!!!

[Doohickey]

Don’t think missiles, think warheads. This was a good test against an attack from the likes of North Korea, but China has MIRVs.

[bobjam]

Let’s pray we never have to see one of these things used in anything other than a test.