Missile Maneuvering System was successfully tested.
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Press Release Summary:
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program conducted successful ground test of upgraded Pulse Mode of Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Solid Divert Attitude and Control System on March 29, 2007. This final ground test, if subsequent data analysis turns out to be as positive as initial results indicate, will provide for insertion of Pulse Mode, which adds additional thrust and maneuvering capabilities, into the SM-3 Block IA missile this summer.
Original Press Release:
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Maneuvering System Successfully Tested
Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency Director, announced that the
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program conducted a successful ground test of the upgraded 'Pulse Mode' of
the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) sea-based missile's Solid Divert Attitude and Control System (SDACS) on
March 29, 2007.
The test, conducted at Alliant Techsystems in Elkton, Md., was the fourth successful ground test for the
upgraded SDACS. This final ground test, if subsequent data analysis turns out to be as positive as the initial
results indicate, will provide for the insertion of this 'Pulse Mode' capability into the SM-3 Block IA missile this
summer.
The advanced SDACS 'Pulse Mode' design adds additional thrust and maneuvering capabilities to the SM-
3's Kinetic Warhead, which, after launch from an Aegis BMD cruiser or destroyer with a missile defense
capability, is designed to place itself in the path of a hostile ballistic missile, colliding directly with the target to
destroy it using "hit to kill" technology.
During the recent ground test, simulated flight control commands were sent to the SDACS to evaluate pulse
mode performance requirements and design effectiveness. Preliminary analysis indicates that all test
objectives were achieved.
