STSS-D satellites, SM-3 missile join for intercept

The US Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system intercepted a ballistic missile target using launch-on-remote technology and a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA guided missile during a 13 February test, officials said.

According to the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the unitary medium-range ballistic missile target was detected and tracked by an in-orbit Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators (STSS-D) satellite constellation, which forwarded data to USS Lake Erie (CG 70).

The Ticonderoga-class cruiser is equipped with a second-generation Aegis BMD weapon system, and engaged the target by a launch-on-remote doctrine, meaning the tracking data came from a remote source, in this case an STSS-D satellite constellation.

STSS-D, an experimental space layer of MDA's overall ballistic missile defence system, is a grouping of two satellites that employ sensors capable of detecting visible and infrared light.

Lake Erie used STSS-D data to develop a fire control solution and about five minutes after the target was launched, the ship fired the SM-3 Block IA guided missile, which flew to a designated point before releasing its kinetic warhead that is designed to acquire the target re-entry vehicle and destroy it with a direct impact, MDA explained.