Minuteman, Sprint, Spartan, OBV, ERIS launch complex. Meck Island
Longitude: 167.7261 deg.
Latitude: 9.0077 deg.
First Launch: 1968.03.30.
Last Launch: 2005.12.14.
Number: 84 .
More... - Chronology...
Associated Launch Vehicles
- Sprint Nuclear-armed point defense anti-ballistic missile, an incredible high-acceleration weapon that would intercept incoming Soviet ICBMs in the atmosphere within 15 seconds of launch. Deployment limited by arms agreements and only 70 were briefly in service in 1975-1976. More...
- Spartan American anti-ballistic missile evolved from the Nike Zeus and designed to intercept ICBM warheads in space. Three stage vehicle consisting of 1 x TX-500 + 1 x TX-454 + 1 x TX-239 solid propellant motors. Nearly as large and just as costly as the missiles it was designed to intercept. After 20 years of development, deployment was limited by arms agreements, and 30 were only briefly in service in 1975-1976. More...
- ERIS American anti-ballistic missile. Flight test vehicle for Exoatmospheric Re-Entry Interceptor Subsystem, an anti-ballistic missile hit-to-kill interceptor warhead. The ERIS vehicle itself consisted of surplus Minuteman ICBM second and third stages. More...
- Payload Launch Vehicle American target missile. Launch vehicle using surplus missile motors. PLV was part of the Boeing Lead System Integration (LSI) effort on the National Missile Defense (NMD) program. Lockheed Martin was the manufacturer and prime integrator. PLV used elements first seen on the ERIS program. More...
- OBV American anti-ballistic missile. Suborbital booster for the US Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system's EKV ballistic missile kill vehicle. The basic OBV consisted of the upper three stages and guidance system from the Taurus orbital launch vehicle (essentially a wingless Pegasus-XL). The OBV was launched from an open pad; the operational version was to be silo-launched. More...
Associated Launch Sites
- Kwajalein The US military base located on this Pacific island group has major tracking facilities and is near the impact area for dummy warheads fired by ICBM's from Vandenberg AFB. It is a key test location for anti-ballistic missile systems. More...
Kwajalein Meck Chronology
1968 March 30 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800003.
- KT-1 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1968 May 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800004.
- KT-2 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1968 August 7 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800005.
- KT-3 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1968 September 16 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800007.
FAILURE: Failure.
- KT-4 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).
1968 November 21 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800006.
FAILURE: Failure.
- KT-5 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).
1969 February 6 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800008.
- KT-6 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1969 April 25 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800010.
- KT-7 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1969 May 18 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800009.
- KT-8 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi).
1969 June 4 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800011.
FAILURE: Failure.
- KT-9 - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).
1969 July 16 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800013.
- KT-10 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1969 July 31 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800014.
- KT-11 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1969 August 13 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800012.
FAILURE: Failure.
- KT-12 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1969 October 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800016.
- KT-13 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1969 November 25 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800015.
- KT-14 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1969 December 15 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800017.
- KT-15 test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1970 April 14 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800018.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M1-1 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1970 June 24 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800019.
- Safeguard M1-1A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1970 August 28 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
- Safeguard M1-4 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1970 October 3 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
- Safeguard M1-27 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1970 October 28 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M1-9 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1970 December 4 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
- Safeguard M1-9A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1970 December 23 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-49.
- Safeguard M1-12 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 January 11 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800024.
- SAFEGUARD M1-30 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1971 January 11 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800021.
- SAFEGUARD M1-30 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1971 February 23 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-46.
- Safeguard M1-28 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 March 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-50.
- SAFEGUARD M1-13 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 March 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-51.
- SAFEGUARD M1-13 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 April 21 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
- Safeguard M1-7A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1971 May 7 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-42.
- Safeguard M1-8 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 August 27 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800031.
- Safeguard M2-1 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 123 km (76 mi).
1971 September 23 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800032.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M1-14A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1971 October 7 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-48.
- Safeguard M2-2 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1971 November 10 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-57.
- Safeguard M2-5 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1971 November 10 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-56.
- Safeguard M2-8 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1971 December 8 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800027.
- Safeguard M2-3 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 148 km (91 mi).
1972 January 6 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-61 Sim targ.
- Safeguard M2-4 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1972 January 20 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800030.
- Safeguard M2-6 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 88 km (54 mi).
1972 March 30 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800033.
- Safeguard M2-9 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi).
1972 May 5 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-64.
- Safeguard M2-11 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi).
1972 June 9 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
- Isolated Rail test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).
1972 June 23 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800026.
- Safeguard M2-19 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 70 km (43 mi).
1972 July 15 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-53.
- Safeguard M2-15 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 26 km (16 mi).
1972 August 3 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800029.
- Safeguard M2-34 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1972 August 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-70.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M2-42 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 0 km ( mi).
1972 August 24 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-66.
- Safeguard M2-42A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1972 October 11 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-52.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M2-14 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi).
1972 October 26 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800037.
- Safeguard M2-12 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1972 November 3 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800036.
- Safeguard M2-40 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 50 km (31 mi).
1972 December 8 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-76.
- SAFEGUARD M2-21 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1973 January 25 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800039.
- Safeguard M2-26 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).
1973 February 3 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800035.
- Safeguard M2-43 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1973 February 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-75.
- Safeguard TRM-97 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1973 February 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-60.
- SAFEGUARD M2-41 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1973 February 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-73.
- SAFEGUARD M2-41 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1973 June 7 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-74.
- Safeguard M2-22 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi).
1973 June 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-01.
- SAFEGUARD M2-45 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 347 km (215 mi).
1973 June 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM 800038.
- SAFEGUARD M2-45 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 340 km (210 mi).
1973 October 5 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM PAVT-1.
- Safeguard M2-27 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1974 January 22 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-02.
FAILURE: Failure.
- Safeguard M2-245 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).
1974 February 14 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-79 Block V wh.
- Safeguard M2-48 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1974 April 16 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM FLA-81.
- Safeguard M2-148 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1974 July 18 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
- Safeguard TRM-133 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1974 August 2 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM PAVT-3.
- Safeguard M2-248 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).
1974 September 20 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-02A.
- Safeguard M2-245A Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1974 October 2 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM PAVT-4.
- Safeguard M2-348 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi).
1974 October 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM PAVT-5.
- Safeguard M2-448 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi).
1974 November 1 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-3.
- Safeguard M2-445 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1975 April 3 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-4.
- Safeguard M2-345 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1975 April 17 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Spartan.
LV Configuration: Spartan ABM PFT-5.
- Safeguard M2-545 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).
1975 April 30 - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
Sprint.
LV Configuration: Sprint ABM PAVT-6.
- Safeguard M2-548 Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi).
1991 January 28 - . 18:24 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
ERIS.
LV Configuration: ERIS ERIS 1.
- ERIS Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 270 km (160 mi). During the mission the TRW team monitored a mission telephone com channel real time in Redondo Beach. Participants recall the intense, "nail biting" anxiety as they waited the approximate 30 minutes it took for the RV to reach the nominal intercept point, over the Pacific and closer to Hawaii than to Kwajalein Atoll. Launch of the Minuteman I target from Vandenberg AFB came at 1803:00.3, launch of the ERIS interceptor at 1824:24.2, and kinetic intercept over Pacific at 1832:08.2.
1992 March 13 - . 18:36 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
ERIS.
LV Configuration: ERIS ERIS 2.
- ERIS Interceptor mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA. Apogee: 290 km (180 mi). This second test or ERIS against a Minuteman I was considered successful enough that no further tests were planned. A second launch attempt on 11 May 1991 had been scrubbed after launch of the target missile but before launch of the interceptor. Further develoment of the technology was to be accomplished by the Orbital Sciences' Aries test vehicle with spectacularly poor results.
1997 June 24 - . 04:00 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV.
- IFT-1A EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). Non-intercept fly-by to assess the performance of the Boeing-built EKV seeker, collect target phenomenological data, and evaluate (post-test) target-modeling and discrimination algorithms. Boeing was not chosen as the NMD EKV contractor, partly as a result of its system's performance on this test.
1998 January 16 - . 03:46 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV.
- IFT-2 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Non-intercept fly-by to assess the performance of the Raytheon-built EKV seeker, collect target phenomenological data, and evaluate (post-test) target-modeling and discrimination algorithms. Raytheon was chosen as the NMD EKV contractor, partly as a result of its system's performance on this test.
1999 October 3 - . 02:22 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV.
- IFT-3 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). EKV anti-ballistic missile interceptor launched from Kwajalein Atoll by a two-stage PLV. Intercept of the MSLS launched by Minuteman 2 from Vandenberg was successful. Element test of the EKV, not an end-to-end system test, which relied on a surrogate booster vehicle and range assets to define the deployment basket and deliver the EKV to that location. Once deployed, the EKV operated autonomously to intercept the mock RV. Due to a malfunctioning Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which normally was used to position the EKV for the intercept, a backup method of locating the target had to be exercised. The EKV called upon its step-stare capabilities (which were used only during off-nominal circumstances) to extend its field of view since the target was not where it was anticipated. After executing that procedure, the EKV acquired its target.
2000 January 19 - . 02:40 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV.
- IFT-4 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Unsuccessful ABM test. First end-to-end system test (intercept attempt) using NMD prototype elements (except the IFICS) and range assets to approximate the objective system. The EKV was again successfully delivered by a surrogate booster and separated into the deployment basket. The failure to intercept was directly traceable to the cryogenic cooling system of the EKV, which failed to cool the IR sensors down to their operating temperatures in time because of an obstructed cooling line.
2000 July 8 - . 04:40 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-5.
- IFT-5 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). ABM test failure. Second end-to-end system test (intercept attempt) using NMD prototype elements and range assets to approximate the objective system. The IFICS served as the communication link between the BMC3 and EKV. The EKV did not separate from the surrogate booster due to an apparent failure in the 1553 data bus in the booster.
2001 July 15 - . 03:01 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-6.
- IFT-6 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Successful ABM test, a repeat of IFT-5. The US Army then launched the Lockheed Martin PLV, consisting of SR19 and M57A1 stages, to an intercept it at an altitude of 225 km. The test was part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defence Segment of the NMD (National Missile Defense) program.The prototype X-Band radar (XBR) used in IFT-6 could not process all the information it was receiving quickly enough, causing it to falsely report that the interceptor had missed its target. But in fact the interceptor functioned correctly, and the kill was confirmed by sensors on a satellite, a 747 jet, and ground stations. Starting in IFT-6, a recurring error was identified in the EKV's target position estimation data. The glitch never interfered with the effectiveness of the EKV, and was attributed to degraded EKV inertial measurement unit output data caused by electromagnetic interference from test-unique cabling.
2001 December 4 - . 05:20 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-7.
- IFT-7 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Summary: Successful ABM intercept test, a repeat of IFT-6..
2002 March 16 - . 02:32 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-8.
- IFT-8 EKV ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Summary: Successful ABM intercept test, with additional decoy target balloons being introduced..
2002 October 15 - . 02:23 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-9.
- IFT-9 EKV Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Successful intercept. The target suite consisted of a mock warhead and a number of decoys launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, towards the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein. IFT-9 (largely a replay of IFT-8) was designed to increase confidence in the GMD capability to execute hit-to-kill intercepts. Overall, the test execution was nominal although the EKV experienced the track gate anomaly previously observed in IFT-7 and IFT-8. The software changes incorporated in IFT-9 to mitigate this problem were not successful. The Aegis SPY-1 radar was used for the first time in a national missile defense capacity.
2002 December 11 - . 08:46 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
LV Family:
Minuteman.
Launch Vehicle:
Payload Launch Vehicle.
LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV IFT-10.
- IFT-10 EKV Target mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 225 km (139 mi). Attempted anti-ballistic missile night intercept. The EKV failed to separate from the surrogate boost vehicle. The failure to separate was attributed to a quality control failure combined with shank and vibration loads on the EKV. As a result, corrective measures taken to fix the track gate anomaly found in previous tests could not be tested. GMD suspended intercept flight testing after IFT-10. IFT-11 and IFT-12 that employed the problematic surrogate booster were eliminated from the schedule.
2004 January 27 - . 02:23 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
OBV.
LV Configuration: OBV 3.
- IFT-13B [EKV Mock-up] test - . Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi). Launch delayed from October 2003. This system-level test of the Orbital Sciences� boost vehicle launched the rocket carrying a simulated EKV from Kwajalein Atoll against a simulated target coming from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. IFT-13B was not an intercept attempt. Included in this test was the latest version of the GMD program�s fire control software, which was being built by Northrop Grumman and which performed as expected in this test.
2005 December 14 - . 03:04 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Kwajalein.
Launch Complex:
Kwajalein Meck.
Launch Vehicle:
OBV.
LV Configuration: OBV 4.
- FT-1 EKV Prototype ABM test - . Nation: USA. Agency: OSC; MDA. Apogee: 1,800 km (1,100 mi). Summary: Launch delayed from late 2004. Successful test of hit-to-kill anti-ballistic missile homer, although no target was intercepted..
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