U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency Advance Hypersonic Missile Defense with Successful Aegis Test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, has successfully conducted Flight Test Other-40 (FTX-40), also known as Stellar Banshee, marking a crucial step in defending against hypersonic missile threats. The test, conducted on March 24, 2025, off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, showcased the ability of the Aegis Combat System to track and simulate engagements with a maneuvering hypersonic target.

Breaking Down the Test

The USS Pinckney (DDG 91), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, utilized the latest Sea-Based Terminal (SBT) Increment 3 capabilities integrated into the Aegis Combat System. The ship tracked and simulated a defensive engagement against a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), which featured an advanced Hypersonic Target Vehicle (HTV-1) to simulate real-world threats. While this test did not involve an actual missile intercept, it was a vital step in understanding how hypersonic projectiles behave in flight and how current systems can adapt to counter them.

The trial also provided critical tracking data to the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellite, enhancing its role in monitoring and predicting hypersonic missile trajectories. This capability is crucial, as hypersonic weapons travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and are highly maneuverable, making them difficult to track using traditional radar systems alone.

Advancing U.S. Missile Defense

According to MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, the test is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen U.S. homeland and force protection against rapidly evolving missile threats. "The Aegis Weapon System is critical to our next-generation integrated air and missile defense architecture, and today’s test demonstrated key advancements in our counter-hypersonic capabilities," Collins stated.

FTX-40 also demonstrated the integration of space-based sensors with shipborne tracking systems, allowing for faster detection and response times. The data gathered from this event will inform the development of next-generation interceptors and improve missile defense tactics.

Next Steps: The Path to Intercept

FTX-40 is a precursor to a more ambitious test: Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-43 (FTM-43). In this upcoming test, an upgraded Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) will attempt to intercept an HTV-1 hypersonic target in real time. If successful, FTM-43 will mark a major breakthrough in hypersonic missile defense, proving that existing naval defense systems can adapt and respond to the growing hypersonic threat.

The success of FTX-40 follows last year’s FTM-32, where an Aegis-equipped destroyer successfully intercepted an MRBM during its terminal phase. Together, these tests highlight the growing effectiveness of layered missile defense—combining sea, space, and land-based tracking systems to create a robust shield against both ballistic and hypersonic threats.

Strategic Implications

With Russia, China, and North Korea aggressively developing hypersonic weapons, the U.S. military is racing to stay ahead of the curve. Hypersonic missiles are considered one of the biggest threats to modern defense systems, as they can evade traditional missile shields and strike with little warning. The ability of Aegis-equipped destroyers to track and engage these threats means that U.S. naval forces can serve as a mobile, flexible defense network rather than relying solely on fixed land-based systems.

As the MDA and Navy move towards live intercept testing, the success of FTX-40 represents a pivotal moment in hypersonic missile defense. The ability to detect, track, and ultimately neutralize hypersonic threats will be crucial in maintaining strategic stability in an era where missile technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace.