CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : #DOD Vandenberg: Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle system

Saturday, January 26, 2013

#DOD Vandenberg: Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle system

(U.S. Air Force photo/Vandenberg AFB)

Ground-Based Interceptor Completes Successful Flight Test
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a flight test of a three-stage ground-based interceptor (GBI), launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 2 p.m. (PST) today.

Data from this flight test will be used to evaluate the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle system performance in a flight environment. If a target missile were present, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle would collide directly with the threat warhead to perform a hit-to-kill intercept. Engineering data from this test will be used to improve confidence for future intercept missions.

A target missile launch was not planned for this flight test. After performing fly out maneuvers, the three-stage booster deployed the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle to a designated point in space. After separating from the booster, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle executed a variety of pre-planned maneuvers to collect performance data in space.

Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. Program officials will assess and evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

Today's event, designated Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Control Test Vehicle (GM CTV)-01, is part of an extensive test series initiated after the Flight Test Ground-Based Interceptor (FTG)-06a failure in December 2010. The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle flown during GM CTV-01 was modified based on findings from the FTG-06a Failure Review Board. This test is the critical first step in returning GMD to successful intercept testing.

MDA media contacts are Deb Christman, 719-338-1071, debra.christman@mda.mil, and Rick Lehner, 571-231-8212,richard.lehner@mda.mil .

More Vandenberg AFB Related News Information:
Team V readies for mock deployment

(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Yvonne Morales)

1/26/2013 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tech. Sgt. Erik Snyder, a 30th Comptroller Squadron quality assurance manager, conducts a bag-drag in preparation for a unit compliance exercise deployment here Friday, Jan. 25, 2013. A mobility bag consists of items essential for an Airman to have when tasked to deploy at a moments notice.
Source: http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?

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