// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Midcourse
Midcourse is the longest part of a ballistic missile's flight, occurring after the rocket boosters have burned out and before the warhead re-enters the atmosphere. During this phase, the payload travels through the vacuum of space on a predictable, arching path.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The midcourse phase is the exo-atmospheric segment of a ballistic missile's trajectory, situated between the boost and terminal phases, where the reentry vehicle (RV) and any deployed countermeasures or decoys travel on a predictable ballistic path, representing a critical intercept window for defense systems like the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) and Aegis BMD.
BACKGROUND
Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), previously National Missile Defense (NMD), is an anti-ballistic missile system implemented by the United States of America for defense against ballistic missiles, during the midcourse phase of ballistic trajectory flight. It is a major component of the American missile defense strategy to counter ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) carrying nuclear, chemical, biological or conventional warheads.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- mid-flight phase
- exo-atmospheric phase
- ballistic phase
- free-flight phase
- apogee stage
USAGE NOTE
This term is fundamental in ballistic missile defense (BMD) strategy, as this phase provides the longest opportunity to engage a threat, though it's complicated by the potential deployment of decoys.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Midcourse.
A United States government agency responsible for developing and deploying a layered ballistic missile defense system. The MDA manages key midcourse defense programs like the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) and Aegis BMD systems, which are designed to intercept threats in space.
A major defense contractor that develops and produces critical midcourse defense technologies, including the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) exoatmospheric interceptor and the AN/TPY-2 radar used for tracking ballistic missiles during their midcourse phase.
The prime contractor for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, a key sea-based component of the BMDS that provides midcourse tracking and engagement capabilities. The company is also developing the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the GMD system.
Develops the command and control systems for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system and is a prime contractor for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), the future core of U.S. homeland missile defense during the midcourse phase.
The legacy prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, which protects the U.S. against long-range ballistic missiles by destroying them during the midcourse phase of flight with Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs).
Manufactures advanced propulsion systems that are critical for missile defense interceptors. They produce the divert and attitude control systems (DACS) for kill vehicles used in midcourse interceptors like the GBI and SM-3.
A university-affiliated research center that serves as a primary technical resource for the Missile Defense Agency. APL has played a central role in the development, testing, and evaluation of the Aegis BMD system, a cornerstone of midcourse defense.
A federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that conducts research on advanced sensor, tracking, and discrimination technologies essential for identifying and intercepting threats during the midcourse phase of their trajectory.