Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

America's Homeland Defense Shield

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system is the United States' only operationally deployed missile defense program capable of defending the entire U.S. homeland (including Alaska and Hawaii) against long-range ballistic missile attacks. GMD is designed to detect, intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles during their midcourse phase of flight. The system provides early detection and tracking during the boost and midcourse phase, as well as target discrimination, precision intercept and destruction of the target through force of collision. GMD is an integral element of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's layered ballistic missile defense architecture. As prime contractor, Boeing designs, produces, integrates, tests and sustains all GMD components deployed across 15 time zones.

Anatomy of a Missile Intercept

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GMD Program Milestones

Date	News Release
August 31, 2022	Boeing wins key missile defense contract, tacking onto two-decade partnership with the MDA
September 12, 2021	Boeing, Missile Defense Agency Demonstrate Advanced Missile Defense Capability in Successful Flight Test
Sep 28, 2020	Missile Defense Agency awards Boeing with $249 million contract modification for service life extension program
July 10, 2020	Missile Defense Agency awards Boeing with $150 million GMD contract modification
March 25 2019	U.S. MDA and Boeing Complete Historic Missile Defense Test
Nov 11 2019	Boeing Programs Receive Aviation Week Laureate Awards
Nov 7 2017	Boeing Missile Defense Team Loads Milestone Missile into Silo
Aug 02 2017	Boeing to Feature Innovative, Agile Missile-Defense and Weapons Solutions at Space & Missile Defense Symposium
May 30 2017	Boeing Helps U.S. Successfully Intercept Missile Defense Target
Jan 28 2016	Boeing-led Test Improves US Missile Defense Technology
Dec 11 2014	Boeing-led Team Provides 10 Years of Missile Defense Protection
June 22 2014	Statements Boeing-led Missile Defense Team Achieves Intercept in Flight Test
March 15 2013	Boeing Statement on Changes to US Missile Defense Capability
Jan 26 2013	Boeing-led Missile Defense Team Completes GMD Flight Test

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Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System Gallery

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PRN # 14-MDA-7882

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Missile Defense Agency (MDA) / Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

Ground-based Midcourse Defense Customer

Boeing has helped the United States Missile Defense Agency guard against all missile threats through its Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, which became operational in 2004. Boeing has been the lead for the capability since 1998.

Ground-based Midcourse Defense Feature Stories

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Ground-based Midcourse Defense Quick Facts

Interceptors are emplaced at two sites in the United States, one in Vandenberg, Calif., and the other in Fort Greely, Alaska.
Altogether, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system requires 20,000 miles (32,187 kilometers) of fiber optic cable.
Boeing has been prime contractor since 1998.
Boeing has partnered with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency in the design, development, integration, test and sustainment of all GMD components.
Key subcontractors include Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.