Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense

Deployed Capacity

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) evolved from the Aegis Weapon System, Standard Missile, and Navy Command and Control systems. Today’s Aegis BMD 3.6 Weapon System provides an engagement capability against short- to intermediate-range unitary and separating ballistic missiles. The system integrates planning, detection, control, engagement and damage assessment functionalities to maintain its multi-mission role. Aegis BMD 3.6 also includes the Long Range Surveillance and Track (LRS&T) capability to search, detect and track ballistic missiles of all ranges — including ICBMs — and to transmit the tracking data to the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

Aegis ships, manned with Navy sailors and officers, have recently completed a series of firing missions to validate the operational capabilities of Aegis BMD against a progressively more complex set of targets and scenarios. This operational testing was observed by the Navy’s independent operational test agent, the Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR). This series of flights will inform the decision to transition the Aegis BMD 3.6 Weapon System into active service.

To date, Aegis BMD has achieved 19 successful ballistic missile intercepts in 23 attempts.