The test also demonstrated the system's "Launch
on Remote" capability, where Aegis Ashore uses information from
another radar system to launch an intercept missile before switching
to Aegis Ashore's own SPY-1 radar to guide that missile to the target.
This level of interactivity between radar systems, which greatly extends
the range of Aegis protection, is a hallmark of the networked, integrated
shield of defense that Aegis--both at sea and on land--provides.
"This Launch on Remote capability helps broaden the reach of
Aegis systems by allowing individual Aegis units to use data from
networked sensors to track and engage threats," said Brendan
Scanlon, Lockheed Martin's director of Aegis Ashore programs. "This
test speaks to the flexibility of the Aegis concept, where we can
network together the proven capabilities of Aegis with other missile
defense systems to create a total ballistic missile defense shield."
The PMRF Aegis Ashore facility was installed in 2013 and has passed
every milestone leading up to this test. A second Aegis Ashore system
is currently under construction in Deveselu Air Base in Romania, on
schedule for completion by year's end.
Aegis Ashore is powered by the latest iteration of the Aegis configuration,
called Baseline 9, which also includes the most current generation
of ballistic missile defense programming, BMD 5.0 CU. It is the land-based
version of the Aegis Combat System, a sophisticated collection of
phased-array radars, fire control directors, computers and missiles
installed on U.S. Navy warships and those of its allies. As Aegis
Combat Systems Engineering Agent, Lockheed Martin led the development
of the Aegis Ashore weapon system for the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense
Agency. Aegis Ashore is a key component of the U.S. European Phased
Adaptive Approach, Phase II, a plan to protect deployed forces and
our European allies from ballistic missile attack.
