Test Marks Fifth Successful Intercept For Aegis BMD Team EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 3 – The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System with the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target outside the earth’s atmosphere during its descent phase of flight today. The weapon system, aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG70), and range sensors confirmed a direct hit of the missile target over the Pacific Ocean. Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System software as Lockheed Martin’s key team member. Raytheon Corporation develops the SM-3.
In addition to the USS Lake Erie, the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) participated in today’s test. A new Aegis BMD Signal Processor (Aegis BSP) installed on the destroyer conducted real-time detection, tracking and discrimination of the target, as well as analysis of target interception. This is the first time the Aegis BSP was used in an at-sea flight test mission.
This test, Flight Test Mission 04-1, marks the fifth time the CSC Aegis BMD Weapon System software successfully guided the SM-3 to a ballistic missile target intercept. The test was sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
“This is tangible evidence of the engineering excellence that is bringing missile defense capability to the nation through the MDA and the U.S. Navy,” said Aaron Fuller, president of CSC’s Defense Mission Engineering and Integration Division. “The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense team continues to complete each milestone. The surveillance, tracking and fire control capability of the Aegis BMD Weapon System is making missile defense real.”
The Aegis Weapon System is the world’s premier naval surface defense system and is the basis for Aegis BMD, the primary component of the sea-based element of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis BMD Weapon System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and the SM-3 missile with its own command and control system. It is capable of simultaneous operation defending against advanced air, surface, subsurface and ballistic missile threats.
Currently, Aegis Weapons System capabilities are on 68 U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers on station around the world. Plans are currently underway to install the system on an additional 18 U.S. Navy destroyers. In addition to the U.S., Aegis is the weapon system of choice for Japan, Korea, Norway and Spain. Recently Australia selected Aegis for its new Air Warfare Destroyer program.
About CSCFounded in 1959, Computer Sciences Corporation is a leading global information technology (IT) services company. CSC's mission is to provide customers in industry and government with solutions crafted to meet their specific challenges and enable them to profit from the advanced use of technology.
With approximately 79,000 employees supporting continuing operations, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC's own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., CSC reported revenue of $13.9 billion from continuing operations for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2004. For more information, visit the company's Web site at
www.csc.com.
