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Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI): The GBI and its associated components provide the “weapon” of the NMD system. Its mission is to strike high-speed ballistic missile warheads in the midcourse or exo-atmospheric phase of their trajectories and destroy them by force of impact. The GBI consists of several components. The missile payload is called the kill vehicle (KV). This component has its own sensors, propulsion, communications, guidance, and computing functions which all work together to complete the intercept. Next, is the booster that will propel the KV toward an approximate intercept location enabling the KV to perform terminal maneuvers and impact the incoming warhead. In addition to the missile payload, there is also ground command and launch equipment that is needed to launch the interceptor. This consists of the hardware and software for interface with the BM/C3 system, human-incontrol interfaces (consoles) and interceptor storage sites (silos), in order to accomplish daily maintenance and readiness functions in addition to providing the launch of the interceptor upon command. |
