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On June 6, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully launched a two-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The GBI carried an exoatmospheric kill vehicle and measured the two-stage design and the vehicle’s performance. An excerpt:

“Several missile defense assets and emerging technologies observed the launch and gathered data for future analysis. Participants included the Space Tracking and Surveillance System, AN/TPY-2 X-band Radar, and the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. Program officials will evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.”

The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance’s Riki Ellison said the two-stage missile was supposed to be placed in Poland before President Barack Obama dropped those plans. Ellison said the two-stage GBI can serve as hedge if Iran strikes sooner and other missiles aren’t ready. (Source)

“Additional defensive intercept shots are needed to mitigate high risk of vulnerability to the eastern United States and northern Europe from Iran as early as 2015 or sooner. The three-stage GBIs deployed in Alaska and California cannot protect northern Europe and can only provide a one-shot opportunity for the eastern United States. The remaining areas of the country are protected by two or more shot opportunities. Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Patrick J. O’Reilly stated at a missile defense conference in London last month that no greater than a 90 percent success can be achieved with a one-shot opportunity and that two-shot opportunities are needed to provide high confidence.”

 
U.S. defense contractor Boeing has developed a mobile Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), which would provide more flexiblity in planning and implementating missile defense shields in Europe. By now it’s well-known that President Barack Obama is hesitant to go through with plans to build missile defense shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. Perhaps he’d be more amenable to a temporary and mobile system like the GBI. (Source)

Although the shields would protect the region from Iranian attacks, Russia claims they would be a threat to its national defense. Neither country’s parliament has ratified the agreements.

Last week we mentioned that Raytheon was developing a land-based SM-3 missile for Israel to use in the event of an attack from Iran. Part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the SM-3 is a ship-based anti-ballistic missile. An SM-3 successfully hit its target in space last week. Perhaps Boeing’s GBI could be used for Israel’s defense as well.