Northrop Grumman successfully launches ballistic missile target vehicles for Aegis test

In support of the Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 32 (FTM-32), Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced a successful launch of its ballistic missile target vehicle.

Such vehicles are used to represent threats during test and verification of missile defense systems. In this case, testing was undertaken in collaboration with the U.S. Navy at Kauai, Hawaii. The Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Type 3 Configuration 2 Target Vehicle launched as a two-stage, solid rocket-fueled ballistic missile from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, and gave the Aegis ship a chance to show off its detection, tracking, engagement and intercept capabilities with a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II missile.

“This program capitalizes on our proven history of innovative rocket designs, executed with speed and discipline,” Robin Heard, director of targets for Northrop Grumman, said. “We continue to invest in technology that delivers these vital capabilities our customers need to respond to growing threats. T3c2 is a highly complex target providing the realistic scenario needed to test and verify the Aegis Weapon System.”

For this particular test, Northrop Grumman developed and produced three T3c2s in total, using them as test targets for the Aegis SM-6. All three launched successfully.