By Adolph A. Mitchell
NAVAIR Point Mugu Public Affairs

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) successfully supported the completion of Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) latest “Hit to Kill” intercept flight test conducted jointly off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, June 22, 2007.

The test involved the use of three VX-30 P-3 aircraft and a C-130 aircraft.

“The Cast Glance install that we recently completed on the BH-300 aircraft worked flawlessly,” said Cdr. Richard “Calvin” Burr, Commanding Officer, VX-30. “The AEGIS BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) program office was very happy with the decisional quality photometric data that was provided,” he continued.

As a part of the CNOs 100 ship Navy effort, a Spanish Aegis frigate, the Mendez Nunez (F-104) and an Aegis cruiser, USS Port Royal (CG-73), also participated in the event. The test involved a “separating” target, which had the target warhead separate from the booster rocket.

The event, designated as “Flight Test Standard Missile-12 (FTM-12), marked the ninth successful intercept in eleven flight tests for the Aegis BMD program, the sea-based component of the Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), designed to intercept and destroy short to medium-range ballistic missiles. This was the 28th successful intercept in 36 missile defense tests since 2001. To date, all target launches managed by the MDA’s Target and Countermeasures directorate to support Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system have been successful.

“I take great pleasure in expressing my appreciation for your outstanding performance and dedication during the installation of the Cast Glance Optical System and L&S band date-link,” said Rear Adm. Mark Skinner, Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), in presenting a letter of appreciation to Cdr. Burr. “Your participation in this endeavor was key to the team completing all aircraft modification and NAVAIR flight clearance requirements in time to support the high-profile Missile Defense Agency test FTM-12.”

He said the success of this national level test was dependent on the many hours of hard work and overtime that the squadron “Mod Team” put into the effort from engineering requirements, fabrication, installation and analyses. “The exceptional initiative and effort you demonstrated on a daily basis is a true reflection of your high standards and professionalism. I extend to you my sincere thanks for a job well done,” he concluded.

MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, N.J., is the Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) and prime contractor for the Aegis BMD Weapon System and Vertical Launch System. Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz., is the prime contractor for the SM-3 missile and all previous variants of Standard Missile.

-end-