U.S. successfully conducts .......... Intercept Test against an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

U.S. Missile Defense Agency ^ | November 16, 2020 | Mark Wright

[gandalftb]

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA),......... intercepted and destroyed a .........Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile during a flight test demonstration in the broad ocean area northeast of Hawaii, Nov. 16.

At approximately 7:50 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, (12:50 a.m., Nov. 17, Eastern Standard Time), the ICBM-representative target was launched from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, toward the broad ocean area northeast of Hawaii. In this developmental test, the destroyer used engage-on-remote capabilities through the Command and Control Battle Management Communications (C2BMC) network as part of a defense of Hawaii scenario. After receiving tracking data from the C2BMC system, the destroyer launched a SM-3 Block IIA guided missile which destroyed the target.

"This was an incredible accomplishment and critical milestone for the Aegis BMD SM-3 Block IIA program," said MDA Director, Vice Admiral Jon Hill. "The Department is investigating the possibility of augmenting the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system by fielding additional sensors and weapon systems to hedge against unexpected developments in the missile threat.

We have demonstrated that an Aegis BMD-equipped vessel equipped with the SM-3 Block IIA missile can defeat an ICBM-class target............

My congratulations to the entire test team, including our military and industry partners, who helped us to achieve this milestone."

[gandalftb]

This is a moment in history that permanently changes the threat of an ICBM attack. .......... For the first time we destroyed an incoming ICBM (20+ Mach) from a Navy warship. .......... Previously we destroyed medium and short range missiles from the ground. .......... Also, we proved that the classified STSS satellite tracking system can thermally detect ICBM missile launches in the boost phase, and precisely target incoming ICBMs and destroy them in space well before even their debris reaches our homeland. ........... Obviously, we can deploy this system anywhere in the world. ............ When deployed, this makes all ICBMs worthless. It's what we've waited for all these years and rewrites all foreign policy regarding threats by ICBM players such as Iran, Russia, N Korea, etc. .......... Congratulations to the DOD. To all the "missile bullies"......checkmate.

[cuban leaf]

20+ Mach sounds hypersonic.

[gandalftb]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Tracking_and_Surveillance_System

[Chode]

[dp0622]

If biden takes office, China and Iran will be getting what they want without having to resort to other means or threats.

The US will not fall because of an inferior military.

If it falls, it will fall from within.

Still, an amazing feat.

I wonder how it works if dozens are launched.

[gandalftb]

At least 4 times hypersonic.
...........
I see your point. But, hypersonic weapons would have to be detected somehow. Most rely on an unpowered glide.

[jimtorr]

I wonder if this system is useful against the ASAT systems that Russia and China are rumored to have? My feeling is that it might work against space-based systems, but not ground-based.

I wonder because a few books I have read feature attacks by China/Russia that began with taking down the STSS and GPS satellites.

[gandalftb]

Good point. Clearly we need layers of satellites.

[BusterDog]

Cool. Just in time to release information regarding CCP’s interference in our election. Thanks for excellent analysis, Gandalf.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Biden will immediately grovel to the Russians and Chinese and order the project shelved. Because it just isn’t “fair” that we have them and they don’t and our having them makes the Chicoms and Russians uncomfortable.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Depends on how many anti-missiles we have. If I were conducting a ballistic missile attack, the first wave would have mostly inert (or high explosive warheads) and the second wave would be the killers.

[LurkingSince'98]

Now wouldn’t it be pretty silly to put a system to defend against incoming missles and have it not able to defend itself against incoming missels?

[Vaduz]

If biden takes office, China and Iran will be getting what they want without having to resort to other means or threats.

Indeed aka kickbacks they own Biden and most of the democrat party.
Not much faith in the FBI or CIA to stop it the way the swamp is now.

[Dawggie]

“If I were conducting a ballistic missile attack, the first wave would have mostly inert (or high explosive warheads) and the second wave would be the killers.”

I would like to think that a large scale attack of ICBMs would be assumed to be nukes. This scenario leaves our first strike response assets intact and deployed as the conventional explosives are bouncing off their targets.

[ReformedBeckite]

Big question can the Standard Missile-3 adjust it’s projected path to intercept if the incoming ICBM does the same thing after detecting that a Standard Missile-3 has been launched at it. The bigger question is can any missile etc change it’s course even the slightest bit after being launched, 20 Mach speed is pretty fast, even the slightest movement to the left or right or up and down might disintegrate the missile.

[17th Miss Regt]

if the incoming ICBM does the same thing after detecting that a Standard Missile-3 has been launched at it.

Doubtful. We are generally shooting at warheads only, not the entire missile. Warhead is not usually equipped with sensors except for radars for altitude sensing.

[KC_for_Freedom]

You are correct as to the problems, but ICBM missiles in general are free falling (parabola) and this helps in making an interception Our interceptors have to be able to make small adjustments in order to fine tune an intercept, so we can adjust to some degree, Likewise, an incoming warhead could have some adjustment except for the Mach 20 issue. (This speed in the atmosphere is a very difficult control issue.)

Also, these systems are for small numbers, a large attack would overwhelm. Don’t know the values.

[Fred Hayek]

Then there are decoys. Same radar cross section, similar thermal signature as multiple warheads. Of course any means of discriminating should be classified and should not be discussed here. Loose lips sink ships.