The USA's first ground-based interceptor should be in place at Fort Greely, Alaska by 22 July as part of the US Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Boeing-led Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) system. Six interceptors will be installed by year-end, with two at Vandenberg AFB, California.
The GMD's initial Block 2004 configuration will be completed early next year with two more interceptors at Vandenberg. Ten more are set for Greely by late 2005. These are testbeds, but will provide a limited defence against ballistic missiles, says the MDA.
The early-warning radar at Beale AFB, California is upgraded, and enhancement of the Cobra Dane early-warning radar at Shemya in the Aleutians is almost complete, the MDA says.
Source: Flight International