Lockheed Martin Missile Defense Programs Achieve Significant Milestones in 2011

Lockheed Martin-developed missile defense system elements achieved 16 significant milestones during 2011, further solidifying the corporation's position as a leader in ballistic missile defense (BMD). With proven solutions and an unparalleled BMD hit-to-kill intercept record, Lockheed Martin systems address the ascent, midcourse and terminal phases to support the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) layered Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) today and into the future. 2011 Milestones for Ballistic Missile Defense System Elements Aegis Combat System Aegis is the world's premier combat system and is the foundation for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense capability. Aegis-equipped ships are multi-mission surface combatants that can simultaneously attack land targets, submarines and surface ships while automatically implementing defenses to protect the fleet against aircraft and missiles. One hundred Aegis-equipped ships are in service around the globe. In December, Lockheed Martin submitted its final proposal to the U.S. Navy to provide combat system engineering services, including design, development, integration, test and life cycle support, for Aegis-equipped ships. During the four decades that Lockheed Martin has partnered with the Navy as the Aegis Combat System Engineering Agent, the team has evolved the system 15 times to outpace a wide array of dynamic and evolving threats. Aegis BMD The Aegis BMD system is the primary sea-based component of the U.S. missile defense system. Aegis BMD-equipped ships use hit-to-kill technology to intercept and destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. Additionally, Aegis BMD-equipped ships provide surveillance and tracking of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and work with other BMDS elements to provide advanced warning for the defense of the nation, deployed U.S. forces and allies. The current Aegis configuration, Aegis BMD 4.0.1, enables the MDA and U.S. Navy to defeat more sophisticated ballistic missile threats. In April, the Aegis BMD system successfully tracked and engaged an intermediate range ballistic missile using data from a remote AN/TPY-2 radar during a test off the coast of Hawaii. This marked the Aegis BMD system's first engagement against an intermediate range ballistic missile, as well as the first time the system used a launch-on-remote capability, which allows the Aegis BMD system to employ remote sensors to detect threats as early in flight as possible.