Aegis undergoes MMW tests
The US Navy, Lockheed Martin and Missile Defense Agency's Aegis Combat System has successfully taken part in Multi-mission Warfare (MMW) tests aboard the destroyer vessel USS John Paul Jones, the company announced on 3 August.
During these tests the ballistic missile defence (BMD) and air warfare capabilities of the Aegis were successfully tested. The system used was the latest Baseline 9.C1 iteration of the Aegis configuration for destroyers. It includes the BMD 5.0 CU generation of ballistic missile defence programming.
According to Lockheed Martin, the Aegis system detected, tracked and engaged two air warfare and two ballistic missile targets over the course of the four MMW events. In each event, the Aegis successfully intercepted a single target.
The tests marked the first lower atmosphere engagement of a ballistic missile target by a Baseline 9.C1 configuration Aegis system, which enables the system to engage missiles in their terminal phase before reaching their target.
Under the Baseline 9 configuration, anti-air warfare and BMD capabilities are merged with the Aegis system's integrated air and missile defence capability using open architecture and commercial off-the-shelf technologies.
Paul Klammer, director of the Aegis ballistic missile defense program, Lockheed Martin, said: 'Each generation of the Aegis Combat System adds new capabilities to keep pace with emerging threats, and these tests were really designed to demonstrate the compatibility of new BMD capabilities with the entire system.
'Tremendous credit goes to the crew of USS John Paul Jones, who really put forth a great effort under challenging test conditions to demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities their ship can bring to defending our nation.'
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
