iscover
The US Navy and Missile Defense Agency have successfully demonstrated the capability of Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat System to detect, track and perform an engagement against a live advanced hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile.
The USS Pinckney (DDG 91) has successfully wrapped up Flight Test Other 40 (FTX-40), dubbed Stellar Banshee, utilising Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat System to detect, track and engage a live, advanced hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target – all using a simulated SM-6 Block IAU interceptor.
Backed by the Missile Defence Agency, the United States Navy, Lockheed Martin and industry partners, FTX-40 simulated a real-world hypersonic threat scenario. The exercise introduced a new target and simulated missile, marking the first use of the latest Aegis software operating in a virtual configuration for a Ballistic Missile Defence flight test mission.
Chandra Marshall, vice president of multi-domain combat solutions at Lockheed Martin, said, “Our Aegis Combat System successfully defended against a simulated hypersonic threat. Aegis Baseline 9’s hypersonic defence advantage against an MRBM target delivers a remarkable capability that enables our warfighters to ‘see the unseen’ sooner, ensuring our sailors get ahead of emerging threats.”
The successful trial highlights the Aegis Combat System’s flexibility and scalability – whether deployed at sea or on land – as it adapts to an ever-changing defence environment. The test is part of ongoing efforts by Lockheed Martin, the Missile Defence Agency, the US Navy and industry partners to drive innovation and integration in Aegis technology.
FTX-40 serves as a precursor to future live-fire intercept missions and marks the third test for the Capability Package 24 / Ballistic Missile Defence 5.1.5 system, which includes the Sea-Based Terminal Increment 3.
Last year, joint industry and government teams successfully conducted FTX-23, known as Stellar Sisyphus, demonstrating sensor-tracking and communications-link capabilities, while the FTM-32 exercise saw a successful interception of an MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II Software Upgrade interceptor missile.
