Lockheed Martin's Multiple Kill Vehicle - 1999

in #science7 years ago

Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a free-flight hover test of the MDA's Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) December 2, the first of several tests to prove readiness for flight testing aboard midcourse interceptors. Performed at the National Hover Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, the test represented a major step forward for the earliest operational payload designed to destroy multiple threat objects with a single missile defense interceptor. Earlier in the year, Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated engagement management algorithms, tested a divert thruster and calibrated an infrared sensor

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2009/january/LockheedMartin-DevelopedS.html

Found this on the Way Back Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20081006122929/http://www.lockheedmartin.com:80/products/MKV/index.html

Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV)

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor for the Multiple Kill Vehicle-L payload system.

The Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle is a force multiplier for all of the land- and sea-based weapons of the integrated midcourse missile defense system. In the event of an enemy launch, a single interceptor equipped with this payload destroys not only the re-entry vehicle but also all credible threat objects, including countermeasures the enemy deploys to try to spoof our defenses. This many-on-many strategy eliminates the need for extensive pre-launch intelligence while leveraging the Ballistic Missile Defense System’s discrimination capability, ensuring a robust and affordable solution to emerging threats. Developing, testing and deploying a layered Ballistic Missile Defense System for the U.S. homeland, its deployed forces, friends and allies is essential for protecting against ballistic missiles of all ranges in all phases of flight.

Recent Lockheed Martin News Releases on the Multiple Kill Vehicle: