MDA conducts first successful Ballistic Missile Defence test from Guam

By Defence Industry Europe

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, has successfully conducted a live intercept of a ballistic missile target. This marks the first ballistic missile defence test conducted from Guam, showcasing advancements in integrated air and missile defence capabilities.

 

The test, designated Flight Experiment Mission-02 (FEM-02), employed the Aegis Guam System in combination with the AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System. A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA was launched, intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base. The AN/TPY-6 radar played a crucial role, achieving its first successful end-to-end tracking and interception in a live flight test.

“This is a tremendous group effort and provides a glimpse of how organisations within the Department of Defense have come together to defend our homeland Guam now and in the future,” said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins. “Collectively, we will use this to build upon and validate joint tracking architecture and integrated air and missile defence capabilities for Guam. Thanks to all of those involved, especially the people and government of Guam.”

 

 

Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, Commander of Joint Task Force-Micronesia, also praised the test’s success. “Today’s flight test is a critical milestone in the defence of Guam and the region,” he said. “It confirmed our ability to detect, track, and engage a target missile in flight, increasing our readiness to defend against evolving adversary threats.”

The test serves as a pivotal step in the development of the Guam Defense System (GDS), which aims to establish a layered, integrated air and missile defence capability. Data gathered from FEM-02 will inform future initiatives to enhance Guam’s defences, ensuring protection from potential regional missile threats.

Guam’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region adds significance to the MDA’s efforts. As a vital hub for sustaining U.S. military presence, deterring adversaries, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, Guam’s defence is a top priority for the Department of Defense.

 

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