Lethal Exoatmospheric Projectile

Lethal Exoatmospheric Projectile (LEAP) The Lethal Exoatmospheric Projectile (LEAP) interceptor is a highly modular, lightweight, space tested kinetic kill vehicle designed to defend against medium- and long-range ballistic missile attacks. Hughes Missile Systems Company began development of the LEAP Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) in 1985. The Hughes LEAP KKV has been validated in over a thousand simulation runs, over a hundred ground tests, several hover tests and several space flight tests. The interceptor is evolving as a key element of the U.S. Navy's two-tiered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) capability currently under development. The LEAP design includes a highly advanced, large aperture, long wave infrared (LWIR) seeker that provides acquisition ranges greater than 300 km against typical tactical ballistic missile threats. It also contains an interferometric fiber optic inertial measurement unit (IMU) for improved midcourse and terminal guidance. During the Navy LEAP Technology Demonstration Program, the Hughes LEAP KKV operated beyond expectations. After ejection from the Standard Missile, LEAP's LWIR seeker acquired and tracked the tactical ballistic missile target at a range of over 135 km, well beyond the requirement. LEAP's modularity enabled designers to reconfigure the compact propulsion system to accommodate both liquid and solid fuel. LEAP's solid propulsion system more readily meets U.S. Navy insensitive munitions requirements, is easier to handle and is lower cost than liquid fuel alternatives. LEAP continues to build on its successful development history. Transitioning to the Standard Missile-2 Block IV and AEGIS Weapon System is the next critical step in the sea-based TBMD deployment. Back to Development Programs Return to HMSC main page