Network Centric Airborne Defense Element
Anti-ballistic missile system
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The Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) was an anti-ballistic missile system being developed by Raytheon for the Missile Defense Agency. On September 18, 2008, Raytheon announced it had been awarded a $10 million contract to continue NCADE research and development.[1] The NCADE system is a boost phase interceptor based heavily on the AIM-120 AMRAAM, with the AMRAAM fragmentation warhead replaced by a hit-to-kill vehicle powered by a hydroxylammonium nitrate-based monopropellant rocket engines from Aerojet.[2][3]
On December 3, 2007, AIM-9X missiles with installed NCADE infrared seeker was tested against the Orion target rocket launched from White Sands Missile Range. Missiles were launched from the F-16 of the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center. One modified AIM-9X intercepted the target rocket and the other observed the intercept while also being on intercept trajectory.[4]
In April 2008, Aerojet completed a full-duration test firing of an axial thruster for the second stage of NCADE. Thruster provided more than 660 N of thrust for more than 25 seconds.[5]: 933
The launch vehicle would be a Boeing F-15C Golden Eagle with an AESA radar.[6]
NCADE is listed as "Discontinued" on the website of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.[7]
