Australia conducts first ground-based SM-2 missile test, integrating CEA radar with Aegis system

Published Jul 10, 04:20 PM UTC

Australia's Department of Defence announced on July 9, 2026, that it successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind ground-based live-fire test of a Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) interceptor at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. The test, part of Exercise Taipan Strike 2026, paired an Australian-made CEA Technologies phased array radar with the US Navy's Virtualised Aegis Weapon System and a trailer-mounted Expeditionary Launch System (Derringer). The system detected, tracked, and destroyed a cruise missile target. The milestone marks the first integration of a CEA radar with the Aegis Combat System in a land-based configuration, addressing Australia's medium-range air defense gap. The test involved the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, Lockheed Martin, and CEA Technologies. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy highlighted the test's significance for sovereignty and capability modernization under the 2026 National Defence Strategy.