Ground-Based Missile Defense

In 2003, National Missile Defense (NMD) was changed to Ground-Based Missile Defense (GMD), to differentiate it from other missile defense programs, such as space-based, sea-based, or high-altitude intercept programs.

Raytheon develops a Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) which includes a booster missile and a kinetic Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV).

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is the Lead System Integrator of the program, tasked to oversee and integrate systems from other major defense sub-contractors. The key systems of the GMD system are:

• Ground Based Interceptor (GBI)
• Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3)
• Ground Based Radars (GBR)
• Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR)
• Forward Based X-Band Radars (FBXB)

Flight Test Results

GMD Flight Test results have been good, but not excellent.

• Integrated Flight Test 13C
  • GMD IFT-13C suffered a flight test failure on Dec. 15, 2004. This test involved an interceptor using the new Orbital Sciences booster flying out of Kwajalein and an attempt to hit a target coming out of Kodiak, Alaska. While the target flew as planned, the booster failed to leave the ground.

External links

• http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/nssrm/categories/bmdgbmd.htm
• Failed test Dec 2004