Missile Defense

Video: Missile Defense Agency Announces Successful Intercept By Ground-Based Interceptor Missile

December 6, 2008 /

Here is the Missile Defense Agency video from yesterday’s successful test:

A threat-representative target missile was launched from Kodiak, Alaska at 3:04pm (EST). This long-range ballistic target was tracked by several land- and sea-based radars, which sent targeting information to the interceptor missile. At 3:23pm (EST) the Ground-Based Interceptor was launched from the Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The interceptor’s exoatmospheric kill vehicle was carried into the target’s predicted trajectory in space, maneuvered to the target, performed discrimination, and intercepted the threat warhead.

Should YouTube take the video down, it can be viewed at the Missile Defense Agency website here.

Enjoy!

Now, back to college football.

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4 Comments

  • Bill

    December 6, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Interesting. I guess I did not watch the news long enough to hear about this yesterday. Looks like a promising defense strategy.

    Actually I am surprised they film this stuff and allow it to be viewed by the public. One would think that keeping our defenses secret would be helpful in preventing enemy nations from thwarting the technology.

  • Flap

    December 6, 2008 at 1:09 pm

    One of the points in the early Reagan program was the ability to share defense capabilities with other nations so no one feels threatened.

    A transparent program creates uncertainty of an offensive attack on the United States because the world knows we have a massive retaliatory force.

    It also allows companies like Boeing to sell some of their systems to friends like Poland and Israel.

  • KRLIG

    December 6, 2008 at 11:50 pm

    How Do We Define Success?

    On December 5, a rocket launched from Kodiak was intercepted by a rocket launched from Vandenburg AFB in California. As the champagne celebratory haze clears, keep a few things in mind:

    1. It wasn’t a resounding “success”: According to Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, head of the Missile Defense Agency, “…the target did not release planned countermeasures designed to try to confuse the interceptor missile. O’Reilly did not say what those countermeasures were, but they often include decoys or chaff to throw off shoot-down attempts.” Apparently the technology to shoot down a real enemy missile which would have countermeasures is not yet working.

    2.It wasn’t a truly realistic test: The “test” was very tightly controlled – everybody knew when the interceptor would be launched and its probable path (they’ve launched targets from KLC before). One wonders what would happen if they actually had to scramble an interceptor with no prior warning. Now that would be a true test.

    3. If the U.S. can’t launch an ICBM that works the way it should, why do we think other countries can? Neither North Korea or Iran has ever successfully fired a missile that had any chance of landing anywhere near the U.S. Right now, if North Korea got really lucky, they might be able to hit the tip of the Aleutians. We are sure the folks out there appreciate the expenditure of ten billion dollars a year to help them sleep more soundly.

    4. It’s ALL about the money: Roughly $10 billion is spent per year on the program, which is run by defense contractor Boeing Co. but includes work by most of the nation’s largest weapons makers. It is spread across three branches of the military and is composed of missiles, radar and satellites designed to intercept missiles during different stages of flight.

    5. Fortunately, President-elect Barack Obama expressed skepticism about the capabilities of the system during his campaign, leading to speculation he may reduce the program’s scope. Russia has strongly objected to plans to install missile interceptors in Eastern Europe.

    6. At least the true character of the KLC has finally been admitted. According to the AP: “WASHINGTON – The Defense Department said today it shot down a missile launched from a military base in Alaska…”

    7. Finally, Kodiak desperately needs a new high school and a new police station and jail. Our roads are a mess and infrastructure in Kodiak, Alaska and all across the United States is crumbling. Take a drive down Mission Road past the Salvation Army and ask yourself: Is Missile Defense worth it? Friday’s test cost between $120 million to $150 million.