Current MDA News Releases

Japanese Aegis System-Equipped Vessel (ASEV) Successfully Demonstrates J7.B Software Build

On August 10, 2022, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Navy Aegis Technical Representative, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force witnessed another successful demonstration of the J7.B software build in support of the Japanese ASEV program. This demonstration known as ASEV Software Release 3, allows Japan to field J7.B software and the SPY-7(V)1 radar onboard a sea-based ASEV platform to provide ballistic missile defense (BMD) of the Japanese homeland.

Missile Defense Agency selects Northrop Grumman Corp and Raytheon Missiles and Defense to move forward in the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) prototype project

The Department of Defense has awarded two firm fixed price Other Transaction (OT) Agreement modifications to exercise options; one to Northrop Grumman and one to Raytheon through the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) authority under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

MDA Awards Contract for the Production of the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA

The Missile Defense Agency has awarded a contract to Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, to produce and deliver operational Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA Interceptors.

MDA Successfully Deploys a Second Set of CubeSats in Space to Test New Tech, Support HBTSS Development

Building on the successful launch and deployment of its first two CubeSat Networked Communications Experiment (CNCE) Block 1 space vehicles last June, the Missile Defense Agency launched two CNCE Block 2 CubeSats May 25, 2022 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Successful communications with both CubeSats was confirmed on May 31, 2022.

Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army Test Integration of THAAD and Patriot Missile Defense Systems

The Missile Defense Agency, in partnership with the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and Ballistic Missile Defense System Operational Test Agency, successfully conducted a flight test today of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. The test, designated Flight Test THAAD Weapon System (FTT)-21, was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

MDA Retires Space Tracking and Surveillance System after 12 Years, Thousands of Missions

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) retired two Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites on March 8, 2022, ending an extraordinarily successful experiment that demonstrated that a space layer can significantly enhance the Missile Defense System (MDS).

ASEV J7.B Product Development Demonstration 2 Successful

On January 19, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy Aegis Technical Representative (TECHREP) witnessed another successful demonstration of the J7.B software for the Japanese Aegis System-Equipped Vessel (ASEV). Japan will field J7.B and the SPY-7(V)1 radar onboard a sea-based ASEV platform to provide ballistic missile defense (BMD) of the Japanese homeland.

IMDO, MDA Successfully Complete Flight Test of the Arrow Weapon System and Arrow 3 Interceptor

On January 18, 2022, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of the Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) at Israel's Ministry of Defense, together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Israeli Defense Forces, conducted a successful flight test of the Arrow Weapon System (AWS) and the Arrow 3 interceptor at a test site in central Israel.

President Biden Selects MDA Space Executive for 2021 Presidential Rank Award

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has chosen Missile Defense Agency (MDA) director of Space Sensors Walter S. Chai of Colorado Springs, Colorado as a 2021 recipient of the Meritorious Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award.

U.S. Missile Defense Agency Announces the Initial Fielding of the LRDR in Alaska

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced the completion of military construction and installation of radar arrays for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) during a ceremony declaring the initial fielding of the radar here Dec. 6.

Missile Defense Agency Awards Contracts for Glide Phase Interceptor Design

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Other Transactional (OT) Agreements to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Missiles and Defense to complete an accelerated concept design of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) for MDA’s regional hypersonic missile defense program.

Israel Begins Initial Testing For Deployment of Elevated Sensor

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), part of the Defense Development and Research Directorate (DDR&D) within the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), commenced inflation of the High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS) and initial testing for deployment of an Elevated Sensor (ES) system in Northern Israel at facilities established by IMOD.

Homeland Missile Defense System Conducts Successful Launch of Upgraded Boost Vehicle

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful launch of a Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Ground Based Interceptor (GBI) flying a mock-up of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV).

The SPY-7 Hybrid Defense Security Cooperation Project with Japan Completes Additional Capability Demonstration

On August 26, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy Aegis Technical Representative (TECHREP) witnessed a successful Mid-Release 2 Demonstration of the software release for the Japanese J7.B Aegis Weapon System equipped with SPY-7 radar, in Moorestown, New Jersey. Japan will field J7.B onboard an afloat Aegis System-Equipped Vessel (ASEV) to provide ballistic missile defense (BMD).

MDA Test Intercepts Target

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, conducted Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 33 in the broad ocean area northwest of Hawaii, July 24.

MDA Tech Bridges Gap Between Disparate Sensors, Fire Control Systems

The Missile Defense Agency-developed Joint Track Management Capability (JTMC) and Open Systems Gateway (OSG) linked multiple sensor and fire control systems from multiple services into one integrated network during a July 15 flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

MDA Deploys Tiny Satellites with Potential Big Impact on Missile Defense Development

The Missile Defense Agency deployed two tiny satellites to space June 30 that successfully began communicating with ground stations over the Fourth of July weekend, the first step on the way to an experiment that will eventually see them communicate with each other, a feat that could play a major role in the development of U.S. missile defense technology.

MDA Announces Record of Decision for the Long Range Discrimination Radar

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), as the lead agency, with the Department of the Air Force as a cooperating agency, announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) Operations at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska.

Weapons System Installation begins at Aegis Ashore Poland

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently achieved critical installation milestones of the Aegis Weapon System at its Redzikowo, Poland, facility whose design and construction efforts are being accomplished in close partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

MDA Test Does Not Intercept Target

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, conducted Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1 on May 29, 2021. The objective of the test was to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense (BMD)-configured Aegis ship to detect, track, engage and intercept a medium range ballistic missile target with a salvo of two Standard Missile-6 Dual II (BMD-initialized) missiles. However, an intercept was not achieved.

MDA Announces Availability of Environmental Impact Statement for Long Range Discrimination Radar

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the Department of the Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration, announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) Operations at Clear Air Force Station (CAFS), Alaska.

Contracts Awarded for Next Generation Interceptor Program

The Department of Defense has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. in support of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. With an estimated maximum value of $1.6 billion through fiscal year 2022, this contract award is structured to carry two designs into the technology development and risk reduction phase of the acquisition program to reduce technical and schedule risk. This award will ensure NGI is an efficient and effective part of an integrated Missile Defense System (MDS) solution.

The SPY-7 Hybrid Defense Security Cooperation Project with Japan Completes Initial Engineering Demonstration of Capability

On 27 January, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy Aegis Technical Representative (TECHREP) witnessed the successful demonstration of the first software release of the Japanese J7.B Aegis Weapon System equipped with SPY-7 radar in Moorestown, New Jersey.

LRDR Work Continues Through Covid-19 for Initial Fielding in 2021

The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), currently undergoing radar installation at Clear Air Force Station (AFS), Alaska, is on track for delivery and Initial Operational Capability in 2021, having completed all major production activities as well as array panel and equipment installation in Clear, Alaska.

The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Begin Arrow 4 Development

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in the Directorate of Defense Research and Development of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have begun the development of the Arrow 4 interceptor.

Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor Phase IIb Awards

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is pleased to announce award of Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) with L3Harris Technologies, Inc and Northrop Grumman Systems Cooporation for the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program’s Phase IIb On-orbit Prototype Demonstration.

IMDO and MDA Successfully Complete Intercept Test of the David's Sling Weapon System

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), together with the Missile Defense Agency, successfully completed a series of flight tests of the David’s Sling Weapon System (DSWS) in an advanced system configuration against current and emerging threats.

U.S. successfully conducts SM-3 Block IIA Intercept Test against an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Target

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and U.S. Navy sailors aboard an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System-equipped destroyer intercepted and destroyed a threat-representative Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile during a flight test demonstration in the broad ocean area northeast of Hawaii, November 16, 2020.

Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Army Test Interoperability of THAAD and Patriot Missile Defense Systems

The Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, and U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command successfully conducted a test of the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The test, designated Flight Test Patriot Weapon System (FTP)-27, consisted of two events which took place today and earlier this year.

IMDO and MDA Successfully Complete a Flight Test of the Arrow Weapon System

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) of Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMOD), together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), successfully completed a flight test of the Arrow-2 interceptor on August 12, 2020.

U.S. Missile Defense Agency Announces the Availability of the Continental United States Interceptor Site (CIS) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) today released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a potential Continental United States Interceptor Site (CIS). The final EIS document analyzes the environmental impacts at candidate locations in the U.S. best suited for a possible future deployment of ground-based interceptors capable of protecting the homeland against ballistic missile threats from nations such as North Korea and Iran.

THAAD System Successfully Intercepts Target in Missile Defense Flight Test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, Ballistic Missile Defense System Operational Test Agency and U.S. Army soldiers of the E-62 Battery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, conducted an intercept test late yesterday of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Arrow Weapon System Successfully Engages Ballistic Missile Target

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) completed a successful flight test campaign with the Arrow-3 Interceptor missile.

Missile Defense Agency Completes Change of Responsibility Ceremony

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted a change of responsibility May 31 with U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jon A. Hill succeeding U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Samuel A. Greaves as the 11th director. Greaves served as the MDA director since June 2017.