The mission of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system can be explained rather easily: detect, track, intercept and destroy ballistic missiles before they can reach our shores. The technical challenge of accomplishing this, however, is one of the hardest in aerospace. After all, the system comprises 22,000 miles of fiber optic cable, assets in 15 times zones and coordination across multiple land, sea and space-based radars and sensors. The system must process all this information in a time-limited window and destroy a rapidly moving target, essentially “hitting a bullet with a bullet.”  

It makes successes like its last intercept of a realistic target this summer, all the more impressive. Through this system, a Boeing-led industry team was proud to support the Missile Defense Agency and our Nation’s men and women in uniform who stand trained and ready to execute their mission around the clock.  

Check out this video about the recent GMD intercept: