Boeing

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).