Aegis combat system performs defense against aircraft and missiles in recent test

MOORESTOWN, N.J., 18 May 2012. Lockheed Martin Corp.'s [NYSE: LMT] Aegis combat system demonstrated simultaneous anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities during its first integrated air and missile defense test.

The test verified the capabilities of the recent upgrade to the Aegis system, known as Baseline 9, which will provide integrated air and missile defense for the U.S. Navy’s fleet to engage multiple threats at the same time. This test marks the first time the Aegis system has used the multi-mission signal processor (MMSP) in an environment where external aircraft are attempting to jam the system.

The Aegis combat system is a naval defense system, and is the sea-based element of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system. Aegis can attack land targets, submarines and surface ships in addition to defending against aircraft and missiles. Aegis uses the SPY-1 air search radar to track multiple targets simultaneously.

The demonstration was conducted at the U.S. Navy's land-based test facility, the Vice Admiral James H. Doyle Combat Systems Engineering Development Site in Moorestown, N.J. Manufacturing work for the program will be performed in New Jersey.

As a supplement to the Navy's Baseline 9 system, MMSP combines Aegis BMD and anti-air warfare capabilities in an open combat system architecture.