Has Russian Kinzhal Missile Met its Match? U.S.Navy Tests Aegis System against Hypersonic Threat

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Navy conducted Flight Test Other-40 (FTX-40), also known as Stellar Banshee, demonstrating the Aegis Combat System’s capability to counter hypersonic threats.

With this capabilility the U.S. may have acquired an ability to counter Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missile that has played havoc in Ukraine as current air defense systems are ill equipped to counter hypersonic threats.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) tracked and engaged a live medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target with a simulated Standard Missile (SM)-6 Block IAU interceptor. The test, conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility near Hawaii, validated Aegis Baseline 9 software’s ability to defend against maneuvering hypersonic threats.

The event also gathered data for the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellite system, which enhances real-time missile tracking.

Lockheed Martin, the MDA, and industry partners are continuing efforts to improve Aegis-based defenses, with future live-fire intercept tests planned under the Capability Package 24/BMD 5.1.5 system.