US GMD system completes test
A Boeing-led team successfully tested improvements to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, validating system components with its partners and the US Missile Defense Agency, Boeing announced on 28 January.
During the test, a GMD interceptor launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base , California. It performed an intentional fly-by of a target representing an advanced long-range ballistic missile. This was done to demonstrate the interceptor’s maximum manoeuvring and to enhance data collection.
A Raytheon Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) completed a data-gathering mission during the flight test. EKVs are designed to destroy ballistic threats while they are still in space. The mission objective was to observe the in-flight performance of the redesigned system components and gain information on evolving threat classes. The tests were supported by Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 radar and sea-based X-band radar (SBX).
Taylor Lawrence, president, Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘This was a remarkable data-collection opportunity. These are among our industry’s most complex systems. Testing is critically important to ensuring the advancement of reliable kill vehicles for the protection of the US homeland.’
Norm Tew, vice president and program director, GMD, Boeing, said: ‘The Missile Defense Agency’s test design enabled the collection of critical data to validate key design improvements for the US homeland defence architecture. This data will also support future development such as the work that’s currently underway on the Boeing-led redesigned kill vehicle.’
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)]()
SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)
At SOF Week 2026, Pro-Shot Defense discusses the maintenance technologies and weapon support tools designed to keep special operations forces mission ready in the world’s harshest environments.
-
![Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs]()
Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs
Stockholm is exploring commercial avenues to provide a small uncrewed ground vehicle capable of carrying 500kg with a focus on challenging terrains and C2 systems.
-
![Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?]()
Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?
As uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions evolve, it is increasingly necessary for counter-uncrewed solutions to keep pace in order to protect not only military facilities and platforms but also dismounted troops.
-
![Patria TRACKX - The ultimate tracked all-terrain armoured vehicle]()
Patria TRACKX - The ultimate tracked all-terrain armoured vehicle
Patria TRACKX, the ultimate tracked all-terrain armoured vehicle, is designed to conquer the most challenging environments with ease.
-
![NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows]()
NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows
One goal of NATO’s Exercise Crystal Arrow was to identify the potential uses of uncrewed ground vehicles – as seen on the Ukrainian battlefield – and put platforms into the hands of users.
-
![SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet]()
SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet
Galvion has introduced its Cortex Evo integrated head system, combining ballistic protection, power, data and processing capabilities within a single combat helmet architecture.
