Boeing

Boeing-Orbital Team Successfully Launches Booster Vehicle

Boeing [NYSE:BA] announced today the successful launch of a missile defense interceptor boost vehicle as part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program's missile defense interceptor boost vehicle.

Booster Verification-6, a three-stage developmental booster designed and built by Orbital Sciences Corp., was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The mission, monitored by the Boeing GMD team, flew a ballistic trajectory over the Pacific Ocean, reaching an altitude of approximately 1,165 miles and traveling about 3,300 miles down range from the launch site.

The objectives for this flight test included demonstrating the booster's silo-launching capabilities, verifying the vehicle design and flight characteristics and confirming the planned performance of its guidance, control and propulsion systems.

As the prime contractor for the GMD program, Boeing is responsible for the development and integration of the GMD system components, including the Ground-Based Interceptor; Ground-Based Radar Prototype; Battle Management, Command, Control and Communication systems; Early Warning Radars; and interfaces to the Defense Support Program. Other GMD team members include the Raytheon Company (kill vehicles, radars); Northrop-Grumman, (BMC2); and Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Missiles & Space Operations (booster vehicle).

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

###
For further information:
Monica Aloisio
Boeing Missile Defense
703-414-6033
Barry Beneski
Orbital Sciences
703-406-5528
Rick Lehner
Missile Defense Agency
703-697-8997