“Defending the Skies: Conquering the Hypersonic Challenge with Aegis Combat Technology”
Lockheed Martin is dedicated to spearheading innovations in technology to enhance future deterrence methodologies.
The USS Pinckney (DDG 91) successfully executed Flight Test Other 40 (FTX-40), commonly known as Stellar Banshee, employing Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat System to identify, track, and engage a live advanced hypersonic Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target with a simulated SM-6 Block IAU.
FTX-40, backed by the Missile Defense Agency, United States Navy, Lockheed Martin, and industry partners, assessed a genuine hypersonic scenario, showcasing diverse functionalities. Stellar Banshee introduced a novel target and simulated missile, signifying the effective deployment of the latest Aegis software in a virtualized environment for a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Flight Test operation.
The Hypersonic Focus
“Our Aegis Combat System adeptly neutralized a simulated hypersonic challenge,” remarked Chandra Marshall, vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin. “The hypersonic defense capacity of Aegis Baseline 9 against an MRBM target presents remarkable prospects, empowering our teams to detect elusive threats quickly, ensuring our sailors face challenges promptly.”
This successful assessment also highlights the Aegis Combat System’s capacity to adapt to the continuously evolving defense environment. Featuring both maritime and land-based configurations, Aegis illustrates the system’s versatility and scalability, establishing it as a core component of missile defense strategies.
Consistent Demonstrated Capability
Lockheed Martin stands at the cutting edge of innovation, integration, and assistance for upcoming flight assessments alongside the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Navy, and industry associates, shaping the trajectory of Aegis technology. The FTX-40 simulated engagement previews potential Aegis live-fire interception missions and represents the third trial for the Capability Package 24 / Ballistic Missile Defense 5.1.5 system, inclusive of the Sea-Based Terminal Increment 3.
Last year, industry and government teams successfully completed FTX-23, also dubbed Stellar Sisyphus, showcasing a two-phase developmental assessment of sensor-tracking and communications-link functionalities. The teams effectively intercepted an MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II Software Upgrade interceptor missile in FTM-32.
For more information, explore our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/aegis.
