They can detect hypersonic, ballistic and other threats earlier than ground-based radars and provide data transmission to missile defense.
The United States will launch two hypersonic weapons that track satellites into orbit. Four other satellites will track the fighters. The US Space Development Agency (SDA) announced this on Wednesday, February 14.
The agency’s statement said today’s planned launch will include two Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites and four Space Development Agency SDA Tranche T0 tracking layer satellites. The satellites will be delivered into orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the National Security Space Launch program.
“This launch is an important moment for MDA as we enter a new phase of missile warning, surveillance and defense. These HBTSS satellites are a significant step forward in our efforts to outmaneuver our adversaries, ” said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins.
The US Space Force, MDA, and SDA are collaborating to develop HBTSS as a space-based sensor demonstrator that provides the quality fire control data needed to defeat advanced missile threats.
The agency also said data “critical” to ensuring missile defense kills, including hypersonic weapons’ “glide phase” tracking from launch to destruction using HBTSS, will help maintain control over missile threats from launch before blocking, regardless of location.
Placing tracking satellites in the same orbit as MDA’s HBTSS satellites “is a win for both agencies,” according to SDA Director Derek Tournament.
Operationally, the missile defense capabilities developed under the MDA HBTSS demonstration program will inform the PWSA SDA and detect hypersonic, ballistic and other advanced threats much earlier than ground-based radars, providing hypersonic threat tracking data for delivery by associated missile defense weapons.
The SDA added that it will build on the successes of the fire control tools obtained from the HBTSS.
Let’s remember that in August 2023, the United States continued testing the air-launched AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.