Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Aegis weapon system successfully intercepts two short-range ballistic missile targets

27th October 2023 - 10:02 GMT | by Shephard News Team in London

RSS

Missiles fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on Kauai, Hawaii, were intercepted by a ship using the Baseline 9 Aegis Combat System. (Photo: Missile Defense Agency)

The Vigilant Wyvern joint test saw USN Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carl M Levin detect, track, engage and execute missiles fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on Kauai, Hawaii.

The US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carl M Levin successfully intercepted multiple targets in an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) test executed by the USN Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

The ship is fitted with Baseline 9 Aegis Combat System and this was a key part of the exercise which was described in a statement as ‘an Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) engagement of two subsonic anti-ship cruise missile drone targets.’

‘The test, designated Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-48 (FTM-48) by the MDA, demonstrated the IAMD engagement of two short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) targets with two Standard Missile 3 Block IA (SM-3 Blk IA) interceptors, and engagement of two subsonic anti-ship cruise missile drone targets with four SM-2 Blk IIIA interceptors.’

As part of the IAMD Priority Mode, ships can integrate classic air defence with new discrimination and tracking capabilities to defend against coordinated, simultaneous missile attacks.

Seiko Okano, program executive officer – integrated warfare systems for RDML, said: ‘The success of Vigilant Wyvern is a huge milestone. This test event is the first of its kind and an excellent example of collaboration between organizations, further progressing a unified mission to increase capability.’