From NATO:  NATO has taken a significant step forward in providing its commanders the capability to defend deployed forces against attacks from ballistic missiles. The NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) Interim Capability, which was made available to the NATO operational community at the end of last year, has been successfully tested in a realistic operational environment.

The test was the first of two field tests scheduled by NATO’s commanders prior to the missile defence capability being declared as having reached military initial operating capability.

The test took place between 22 and 24 August and was conducted in conjunction with a previously-planned test of the command and control network of the United States Ballistic Missile Defence System’s European Components.  The test involved operational units from Germany, the Netherlands, United States systems and the NATO command and control headquarters in Uedem and Ramstein, Germany.  The units involved include Patriot missile battalions from Germany and the Netherlands, US Aegis systems, as well as the command and control headquarters for the US and NATO forces. . . .

The ALTBMD Programme Office will continue to upgrade the NATO Command and Control System for Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence in incremental steps from 2013 to 2018, to field a more robust operational capability.  In line with the Lisbon Summit decision of November 2010, the ALTBMD capability will also be expanded to protect NATO European territory and populations as well as deployed NATO forces.  (graphic: NATO)

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