Aegis BMD Hardware and Software

The LI MD90 - Aegis BMD Hardware and Software program, managed by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is a key line item within the Department of Defense budget focused on the procurement, installation, and deployment of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) combat systems. The overarching goal of this program is to provide the United States Navy with advanced, forward-deployable, and mobile capabilities to detect, track, and intercept ballistic missile threats of varying ranges. This enhances both homeland and regional defense. The program leverages and evolves the existing Aegis Weapons System (AWS) and Standard Missile (SM) infrastructures, ensuring that the fleet remains capable of countering emerging and increasingly sophisticated missile threats.

Aegis BL 5.4.1 (BMD 4.1.3) Hardware and Installs represent a significant portion of the program's objectives. This upgrade is a joint effort with the U.S. Navy and is planned for 21 Flight I/II Destroyers (DDGs). The primary objectives include delivering improvements in discrimination and mission planning, expanding the threat set, and providing enhancements such as Sea-Based Terminal Increment II Capability, hypersonic tracking and reporting, and electronic attack/protect functionalities. These upgrades are designed to ensure the fleet can address advanced threats, including hypersonic weapons, and maintain interoperability with other elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

Aegis BL 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) Inline and Backfit Procurements and Installs are focused on further increasing the capability and capacity of the Aegis BMD system, particularly to meet the requirements of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) Phase III. These efforts include the procurement and installation of hardware and software that enable expanded hypersonic tracking and reporting, integration with the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, alignment with BMDS specifications, and enhancements to command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. The upgrades also address corrections and improvements necessary to maintain alignment with ongoing U.S. Navy DDG modernization efforts.

Aegis BL 9.B/C2 (BMD 5.1) Capability Upgrade Installs are aimed at increasing the BMD capabilities within the U.S. fleet by installing hardware and software upgrades that expand the threat space, improve hypersonic tracking, and enhance C4I integration. These upgrades are essential for maintaining the operational effectiveness of the Aegis BMD system and ensuring that deployed forces, allies, and the homeland are protected against evolving missile threats.

Aegis BMD Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS) Procurements address the challenge of hardware obsolescence by enabling continued production and installation of BMD 5.x and BL 5.4 (BMD 4.1) combat system hardware. These efforts are critical for reducing configuration variance and sustainment complexity across the fleet. This ensures that in-service ships remain supportable and operationally effective over time.

The program's procurement plan for FY 2026 includes hardware installs and capability upgrades for various Aegis BMD configurations. These efforts are closely aligned with the Navy Ship Fielding Plan and are coordinated with ongoing modernization and sustainment initiatives. The program's justifications are rooted in the need to keep pace with adversary missile developments, maintain interoperability within the BMDS, and support the operational requirements of both the U.S. Navy and allied partners.