Kinetic Energy Interceptor
The Kinetic Energy Interceptor 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, the Mobile Launcher Component, and the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications component.
On 7 May 2009, the KEI program was canceled due primarily to financial reasons.
First stage rocket motor tests
There were five first-stage rocket motor tests planned to be carried out by Alliant Techsystems in Promontory, Utah.The second test firing of a KEI first stage rocket motor was conducted on 14 June 2007. The static firing included a full duration burn and a demonstration of the thrust vector control nozzle.
The fourth test firing of the first-stage rocket motor was completed on November 13, 2008. The test demonstrated a successful operation of the first-stage rocket motor in its final flight configuration that was to be used during a Summer 2009 flight test. Due to the cancellation of KEI in May 2009, this test did not occur.