WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States is currently developing a missile defense system to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, the program has run into repeated technological hurdles.
“The technology we will develop and demonstrate in this laboratory is important because a seeker is the on-board eyes for a missile defense interceptor, and it must perform with perfect ‘20/20 vision’ in the final moments before interception,” Lockheed Martin Vice President Doug Graham said.
The seeker packs infrared sensors, a telescope and software into an instrument placed on the missile defense kill vehicle.
“The seeker locates and tracks the enemy warhead. It sends trajectory data to the on-board guidance system, which steers the kill vehicle to destroy the warhead with force of impact alone to limit effects on the ground,” the statement said.
