Kinetic Energy Interceptor
| Kinetic Energy Interceptor | |
|---|---|
SM-3 (left) compared to Kinetic Energy Interceptor (right) | |
| Type | Mobile Ballistic Missile Defense System |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | Development canceled |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Missile Systems, Orbital, ATK |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 466 in (11.8 m) |
| Diameter | 40 in (1.0 m) |
| Engine | solid fuel rocket |
The Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) was a planned U.S. missile defense program whose goal was to design, develop, and deploy kinetic energy-based, mobile, ground and sea-launched missiles that could intercept and destroy enemy ballistic missiles during their boost, ascent and midcourse phases of flight. The KEI consisted of the Interceptor Component (kinetic projectile), the Mobile Launcher Component, and the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) component.
On 7 May 2009, the KEI program was canceled due primarily to financial reasons.