Rockwell Calls Test of ‘Star Wars’ Defense Projectile a Success

Rockwell International Corp. said Thursday that it successfully tested a projectile that would be used to ram ballistic missiles as part of a proposed “Star Wars” missile defense.

The projectile, dubbed the Lightweight Exoatmospheric Projectile (LEAP), was built by Rockwell’s Defense Electronics in Anaheim, Rocketdyne Division in Canoga Park and Tactical Systems Division in Duluth, Ga.

In the test, the 42-pound projectile flew for 13 seconds in a hovering mode at Edwards Air Force Base. The test was conducted by the Strategic Defense Initiiative Organizations, which oversees “Star Wars,” and the Air Force.

The projectiles are designed to use their mass to ram targets such as nuclear missiles in space at high speeds.

During the test, the 22-inch, 42-pound LEAP projectile found a target 328 feet away and homed in on it.

“We were pleased with the results. All hover test objectives were achieved,” said Art Weiss, Rockwell’s LEAP program manager.

The successful test clears the way for the LEAP space flight test, scheduled in the fall. That test will be coordinated from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Rockwell holds $25 million in LEAP contracts from SDIO and the Air Force.