photo courtesy of Missile Defense Agency Program Images Library
Posted on 01/24/2009 12:35:18 AM PST by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=52795
Missile Defense Agency Successfully Tests Newest Target Launcher
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2009 – Missile Defense Agency officials announced the newest addition to the agency’s “flexible target family” today after a successful rocket motor test yesterday at the China Lake Naval Warfare Center in Ridgecrest, Calif.
The agency successfully completed a static-fire testing of the two-stage launch vehicle, known as the LV-2. It was integrated from former Navy Trident C4 rocket motors to imitate a long-range, intercontinental ballistic missile threat, Defense Missile Agency spokesman Rick Lehner told American Forces Press during a phone interview today.
“What we’re trying to do, and what we have done, is develop different types of interceptors for different types of missiles based upon their range,” Lehner explained, noting that the United States has proven interceptor missiles to use against short, medium, intermediate and long-range enemy missiles.
“What we have to do is develop target missiles that we would use in tests that would tell us what we think we may see from the enemy,” he said.
In a statement released today, officials noted that the Missile Defense Agency has an array of target weaponry that emulates various measures of ballistic missile threats with a broad range of performance, characteristics and features to be used to test the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
The LV-2 replicates a long-range missile of the same type of technology that might be launched from North Korea or Iran, Lehner said.
“It’s a new initiative by the Missile Defense Agency to develop this new generation of target missiles to make them more reliable, to make them better replicate what we think our threat missile will look like,” he said. “You test your interceptors by what you think you will encounter during an actual war or attack.”
The LV-2’s test yesterday is the first, with one or two more to follow, Lehner said. Its first flight is planned for late spring or early summer as part of a larger-scale Ballistic Missile Defense System test, he added.
Related Sites: Missile Defense Agency
ping
Will the funding for this continue?
I don’t know.
I fear that we are being set up for the biggest fall in human history. Sorry if that is pessemistic, but it seems to be the case. But we won’t go down easily.
“But we won’t go down easily.”
I’m praying for our country every day.
Cindy, we are going to have to pray and fight at the same time.
Remember the Chaplain who said “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition”.
I understand.
Here’s a bit of irony for you: increased defense spending really WOULD be economic stimulus! Creates or keeps good jobs... can’t really be off-shored... and we get something good out of it to boot (increased defensive capabilities).
If Obama and the donks want taxpayer-funded stimulus, increased defense spending is not such a bad way to do it. But they hate defense so it’s the last thing they’ll look to, if they consider it at all.
So I look for them to cause trouble with programs like this one. We’ll lose in a number of ways if they do. Sad.
photo courtesy of Missile Defense Agency Program Images Library
Oh, really? What about CHINA, hello?!
Those guys are the real problem.
That’s cool.
“What about China...”
China is always interesting.
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/china
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/madeinchina
I didn't know that civilians are allowed to view these launches.
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