Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI)
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Flexibility for an Uncertain Future In today’s volatile geopolitical environment with growing numbers of ballistic missile threats facing the United States and its allies, the nation needs utmost flexibility to meet the needs of warfighters and to defend against an expanding range and complexity of threats as new adversaries continue to emerge. The Director of National Intelligence lists the ability to develop and/or acquire dangerous weapons and delivery systems as a major and growing threat to the nation and its deployed troops, second only to terrorism. Some 30 nations have ballistic missiles and more than 100 foreign ballistic missiles were tested in 2007 alone. One can only conclude the United States must prepare to counter this inevitable threat. KEI provides unique and vital regional defense on demand to protect the homeland and strategic interests overseas. Northrop Grumman, in partnership with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is developing the globally deployable Kinetic Energy Interceptors weapon system to meet this urgent need for vital regional defense on demand to protect the homeland and strategic interests overseas. Strategic and Operational Flexibility The 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty between the U.S. and the Soviet Union restricted missile deployments to specific locations and limited the types and locations of missile warning sensors used by each country. The treaty specifically prevented deployment of systems that could protect large regions, including allies. After the U.S. withdrew from the treaty in 2002, MDA began pursuing new ways of solving the challenges of ballistic missile defense. KEI is the only MDA interceptor system designed for a post-ABM treaty world, allowing globally deployable, mobile, expansive regional protection for homeland defense, allies and deployed forces. MDA chose Northrop Grumman’s weapon system approach, employing proven state-of-the art technologies, to engineer and design a unique capability without ABM Treaty constraints. Kinetic Energy Interceptors Weapon System Deployable Early Engagement Capability Adds Strategic Flexibility – Where It’s Needed, When It’s Needed. Published By Defense Daily Sponsored By

Page 2 Kinetic Energy Interceptors Weapon System February 2009 One of the KEI weapon system’s strength is its flexibility. As a deployable system, KEI can avoid many of the drawbacks associated with expensive, permanent silo fixed sites. The KEI system requires little or no facilities investment for deployment. This precludes the loss of facilities investments that can occur with fixed sites due to host nation political changes, denial of access in time of crisis or natural disasters. There is also no need for permanent deployments of U.S. personnel and no obsolescence of facilities...

February 2009 Kinetic Energy Interceptors Weapon System Page 3 alternative system if in range. This gives the warfighter the opportunity to conserve these limited assets and ultimately leads to a higher probability of kill. Sea-Mobile KEI MDA and Northrop Grumman have conducted analysis to facilitate placing the KEI weapons system on seabased platforms. For example, the KEI interceptor comes in a canister as an “all-up-round” (AUR), and can be handled and stored like the U.S. Navy manages the logistics of other munitions. When it needs refurbishment, the canister would be sent back to its...

Page 4 Kinetic Energy Interceptors Weapon System February 2009 rocket motors in preparation for the next round of static fire tests. Currently the program is focused on delivering the first booster flight test as an MDA Director’s Key Knowledge Point to demonstrate readiness to proceed with the overall weapon system development and test program. A robust test program continues to verify engineering design and analysis predictions. Overall performance remains consistent with expectations as the high performance booster components continue to be run through their paces. Mission assurance is a...