The Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Weapon System today successfully supported the test firing of a standard missile (SM)-3 from USS Lake Erie (CG 70) at the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF). The test demonstrated the Aegis Weapon System's ability to track and launch a guided missile against a Theater Ballistic Missile (TBM) target.

This test was the third demonstration in a series of planned flight tests that progressively demonstrate the Navy's Aegis Weapon System's ability to engage ballistic missiles with the new Navy Theater Wide (NTW) SM-3. The planned series of demonstrations culminates with two exo-atmospheric "hit-to- kill" intercepts of a TBM target.

The Aegis Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) Intercept (ALI) Project is a stepping stone toward the Navy's goal of an NTW capability for Aegis ships. The ALI Project includes modifications to the Aegis Weapon System's phased array radar system (SPY-1), Weapons Control System, Command and Control System, Vertical Launching System (VLS) and integration of the SM-3 guided missile. The NTW capability is intended to provide regional protection against medium to long range TBMs for joint forces, sea ports, inland airfields, vital political and military assets and population centers.

Lockheed Martin has been under contract with the U.S. Navy since the mid- 1970s as the Combat System Engineering Agent for the Aegis Weapon System, and since the early 1990s to develop Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability for Aegis ships. "Today is an exciting step toward fielding an NTW capability," said Fred Moosally, president, NE&SS-Surface Systems. "This test demonstrates the ability of the Aegis Weapon System to support BMD and is an evolutionary step toward the operational capability for NTW in the future."

The Aegis Weapon System is designed, built and integrated by Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Surface Systems, headquartered in Moorestown, NJ. NE&SS-Surface Systems is one of five major lines of business comprising the Lockheed Martin NE&SS business segment. NE&SS provides surface ship and submarine weapon systems, antisubmarine warfare and ocean surveillance systems, missile launching systems, radar and sensor systems, ship systems integration services and other advanced systems and services to customers worldwide. NE&SS is an operating segment of the Lockheed Martin Systems Integration business area.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration is one of four principal business areas within the Lockheed Martin Corporation . The other business areas are aeronautics, space and technology services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems