Teledyne Brown Engineering successfully launches target missile for advanced missile defense systems

Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. under the authority of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Technical Center’s Targets Division at Redstone Arsenal, successfully launched a Black Dagger Zombie target missile in November 2024.

The U.S. Army successfully tracked the target missile using Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar at White Sands Missile Range. Using this track data, the Patriot interceptor system successfully engaged the target. The Black Dagger Zombie trajectory flew a pre-planned profile aimed at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico prior to being intercepted.

The Tactical Range Air Defense Missile (TACRAM) launch team collaborates closely with USASMDC and White Sands Missile Range to execute all processes and procedures for a safe and successful missile flight test.

“We’re pleased to support the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in enabling the testing of the advanced Patriot missile and LTAMDS systems,” says Scott Hall, President of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “These tests are integral to ensuring that, if needed, these systems will work to protect the Warfighter and our nation.”

The Black Dagger Zombie target missile is designed to fly a ballistic flight path at high speeds and demonstrate defensive protection capability. It is one of several variations of Teledyne’s TACRAM family of targets. For this program, Teledyne Brown Engineering designs and builds affordable, flexible target missiles to be used for testing advanced missile defense systems.