Navy Theater Ballistic Missile Defense

Navy Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) Navy Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) combines both Theater-Wide (Upper Tier) and Area Defense (Lower Tier) defense capabilities to protect naval forces during the critical early phases of an armed conflict. In many cases, the U.S. Navy may be the primary line of defense against the actions of an agressor, such as a ballistic missile attack. TBMD is the most viable near-term response to such a threat. TBMD builds upon the Navy's existing infrastructure, including the current and future fleet of AEGIS cruisers and destroyers, the AEGIS Command and Control Weapon System, the SPY Radar, the MK-41 Vertical Launch System and the Standard Missile. These weapon systems and their established support structures (logistics, training, engineering and production) provide an efficient TBMD capability in direct response to the alarming increase in the number of ballistic missiles worldwide and the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons those missiles contain. TBMD's nondevelopmental approach using proven weaponry, such as the Standard Missile, and existing infrastructure, minimizes the TBMD's costs and risks. Standard Missile is a key element of TBMD and is evolving to meet the ever-changing threats of aggressors, including advanced aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs). Two new versions of Standard Missile are under development as part of the evolution -- one for each of TBMD's two tiers. Standard Missile-2, Block IVA will provide area defense against aircraft, cruise missiles and TBMs in the lower atmosphere. Standard Missile-2, Block IVA is a follow-on to the Block IV missile now entering low-rate production. The Block IV booster stack and airframe provide improved velocity and maneuverability required for TBM intercepts. In addition, the Block IV employs an improved warhead to ward off advanced aircraft and cruise missile attacks. The Standard Missile Lethal Exoatmospheric Projectile (SM-LEAP) interceptor will provide upper tier, theater-wide defense against medium- and long-range ballistic missiles. The Navy's LEAP flight test program has demonstrated all the critical elements for a successful TBMD, including the high altitude flyout of a Standard Missile; exoatmospheric nose cone and LEAP Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) ejection; third stage propulsion, guidance and control; LEAP seeker acquisition and tracking of a threat target; and LEAP guidance, control and kinetic capability. The LEAP test program's success demonstrated all critical elements and the feasibility of a sea-based TBMD. Transitioning LEAP to the Standard Missile-2 Block IV and AEGIS Weapon System are the critical next steps in the TBMD process. Back Development Programs Return to HMSC main page