Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have successfully completed Flight Experiment Mission (FEM)-02, demonstrating a live exo-atmospheric intercept of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) target using the Aegis Guam System (AGS).
The test, conducted in partnership with the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the Department of Defense (DoD), showcases enhanced regional defense capabilities against evolving missile threats.
The FEM-02 test was conducted from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and involved the integration of the Aegis Guam System with the AN/TPY-6 radar, Vertical Launching System (VLS), and Standard Missile interceptor. During the exercise, AGS successfully detected and tracked the MRBM target, planned and executed the engagement, and launched an interceptor from the VLS to neutralize the threat over a broad ocean area.
Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the significance of the achievement: “In partnership with the MDA, Lockheed Martin went from contract award to intercept flight test in less than two years. This rapid integration of capabilities to demonstrate the defense of Guam was enabled by leveraging proven systems and Lockheed Martin’s systems engineering, production, and test excellence. Lockheed Martin is fully committed to providing 21st Century Security solutions for Guam.”
The success of FEM-02 underscores the advanced capabilities of AGS to counter regional missile threats and expand joint all-domain operations in the Indo-Pacific. The system’s integration with cutting-edge radar and interceptor technology provides the DoD with a powerful tool to defend Guam and support broader regional security objectives.
Preliminary analysis of the test results indicates a significant step forward in the MDA’s efforts to enhance missile defense for the United States and its allies. By demonstrating the ability to counter threats in a realistic operational environment, the test affirms the readiness of the AGS to address emerging challenges and maintain strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
