Northrop Grumman’s Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites have successfully demonstrated remote cueing capabilities during a sea-based missile defence test.
During the test, STSS demonstrators tracked and acquired an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) from midcourse phase of its flight, which was then intercepted and destroyed by an SM-3 missile kinetic warhead.
According to the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the AN/TPY-2, X-band radar sent trajectory information to the command, control, battle management and communications system, which transmitted the remote target data to an Aegis destroyer, the USS O’Kane.
The destroyer processed the data to develop a fire control solution and launched an SM-3 block 1A missile within a few minutes to intercept the target.
Northrop Aerospace Systems missile defence and warning sector vice president Doug Young said, “The STSS satellites were cued remotely by forward-based radar in the command, control, battle management and communications system, which is a key capability for a future operational constellation.”
