Ground Based Midcourse

Abstract

The Ground Based Midcourse Defense Segment enables the GMD System, as an Element of the Missile Defense System, to provide the combatant commands, including U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), with a continuously available (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year) Midcourse Weapon System to protect the United States against Ballistic Missiles. GMD contributes to the Missile Defense System by acquiring, developing, demonstrating, deploying, and sustaining a Midcourse Weapon System that includes: a currently operational GMD Weapon System with Ground Based Interceptors; development of a GMD Weapon System integrated with a mixed fleet of Ground Based Interceptors and Next Generation Interceptors; improving Warfighter capabilities; and a Ground Based Interceptor SLEP to improve reliability upgrades for existing Ground Based Interceptor components. The GMD Weapon System leverages integration of Missile Defense sensors from across the globe. The GMD Weapon System consists of the Ground Based Interceptor and Ground Systems and Fire Control. Each Ground Based Interceptor delivers a single kill vehicle to counter allocated threats in space during the midcourse phase of the threat's ballistic trajectory. The Ground Systems and Fire Control consists of the GFC, GCN/GNI, In Flight Interceptor Communications System Data Terminal (IDT), and Ground Support Systems (GSS). The GFC currently consists of two GMD fire control nodes in Fort Greely, Alaska (FGA) and at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center (MDIOC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which plans the midcourse engagement and provides the Human-In-Control interface to the Warfighter to support decision-making and command execution. The GCN is the fire control network for the GMD Weapon System and network connection to the Missile Defense System with the GNI serving as a common secure platform improving real-time cyber integration and the ability to detect and respond to cyber events. The IDTs are currently located at FGA; Vandenberg Space Force Base, California (VSFB); Eareckson Air Station, Alaska (EAS); and Fort Drum, New York (FDN) and provide communications from the GFC to the in-flight interceptors. The GSS consists of the Launch Support System and Missile Field/Launch Site Components currently located in FGA and VSFB and provide the hardware and software interfaces between the GFC and the mixed flee of interceptors including both Ground Based Interceptors and Next Generation Interceptors. The GMD improvements will provide the Warfighter an integrated cost-effective solution that is lethal across the specified threat space, upgradeable to address future and advancing threats, and is integrated with the Missile Defense System as demonstrated through flight, ground, and cyber testing. The GMD program will develop a GMD Weapon System integrated with a mixed fleet of Ground Based Interceptors and Next Generation Interceptors and execute a Ground Based Interceptor SLEP to increase reliability and modernize the Weapon System to provide a highly reliable, responsive and capable system to protect the United States against Ballistic Missiles. The GMD program will continue to develop and field improved stand-alone and integrated Missile Defense System discrimination upgrades improving the ability to counter the allocated threats and address future and advancing threats. In addition, the budget requested continues to support GMD Weapon System upgrades for the planned first Next Generation Interceptor delivery no later than FY 2028, which addresses the number one Homeland Defense priority in the USNORTHCOM Operational Needs.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: MD08_0603882C_4_0400_PB_2025

Tags

Readers

• Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Space
• Space - Satellites