Article Posted on : - Sep 17, 2010

A US Navy photo.

MOORESTOWN (BNS): An advanced version of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), Aegis BMD 4.0.1, is gearing up to be deployed in the US Navy's warships in near future.

Lockheed Martin has recently demonstrated the second generation of its Aegis BMD capability in a formal US Navy test event.

The new weapon system has been designed to destroy more complex ballistic missiles. It features a BMD signal processor which improves target identification.

“Aegis BMD 4.0.1 marks the beginning of the transition to the Navy’s open architecture – a transition that will be complete with software upgrades, known as Advanced Capability Build 12, scheduled for 2012,” Lockheed said.

Further testing – a tracking exercise this fall and an at sea intercept test in March 2011 – will result in certification and deployment of the new combat system in September 2011.

Currently, a total of 23 Aegis BMD-equipped warships – 20 in the US Navy and three in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force – have the certified capability to engage ballistic missiles and perform long-range surveillance and tracking missions. Twelve additional ships have also been identified for modification to perform ballistic missile defense in the next 36 months.

Recently, two US Navy warships – USS Mobile Bay and USS Philippine Sea – equipped with the Aegis BMD, have successfully completed Combat System Ship Qualification Trials.