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House Armed Services Committee Republicans Highlight Aegis Missile Defense Program’s Successful Simultaneous “Hit-to-Kill” Tests
Washington, D.C. -- Senior Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee today commended the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy for achieving a new milestone in the Aegis Missile Defense Program. For the first time, the crew of an Aegis destroyer successfully engaged and destroyed two separate ballistic missiles simultaneously.
“The Aegis system continues to illustrate that it is the most advanced weapon in our inventory to protect America from a missile attack from a rogue nation,” said U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. “By successfully destroying two missiles simultaneously, we’re continuing to see success in operationally realistic testing and increased confidence in our Aegis destroyers to provide us and our allies another level of protection.
"Rep. Hunter had urged President Bush to discuss Aegis-based missile defenses in the Black Sea when the Russian and American missile defense discussions resume.
“Given the current and emerging threats around the world, yesterday’s successful Aegis intercept test moves us another step closer to ensuring that the American people are protected from a missile attack,” said U.S. Rep. Terry Everett (R-AL), senior Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. “This new milestone validates our committee’s continued efforts to accelerate our near-term missile defense capabilities.
“We live in an age of Iran and other rogue nations actively expanding their missile capabilities and their nuclear ambitions,” said Cong. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), senior Republican of the House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. “Missile defense and this particular test hold high hopes for one day protecting civilian populations or U.S. forces and allies abroad. I compliment both the Navy and the American workers who’ve developed the Aegis technology that makes this possible.
“The continued progress of our missile defense capability is an important part of our commitment to deter countries that may be seeking to develop long-range missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction against the United States and its allies,” said Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), senior Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.
“Not only does today’s successful test strengthen our partnership with our friends in Japan since they participated in the flight test and will be carrying out a similar test next month, it was also another great milestone in our commitment to building a global missile defense system capable of defending America and other freedom-loving nations. This success for the Aegis program comes in the wake of successful testing for THADD, the Airborne Laser, and Ground-based Midcourse Defense. Once again the great minds and talent, both within the defense industry and our Armed Services, have continued to prove that missile defense is worth the investment,” said U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), a member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces."
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For more information about yesterday’s successful Aegis Missile Defense test, please visit https://www.mda.mil.