50.59 (+0.76) 
Date posted: 07/06/2009*
The Network Centric Airborne Defense Element is an affordable, near-term, air-launched Missile Defense interceptor now under development at Raytheon Missile Systems. NCADE is designed to intercept threat ballistic missiles in the boost and ascent phases of flight. NCADE combines an RMS seeker with an Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile airframe and a booster stage. NCADE will intercept threat ballistic missiles in the endoatmosphere or exoatmosphere.
Because NCADE has the same form and fit as AMRAAM, any aircraft that can carry AMRAAM can also carry NCADE. The company has developed NCADE largely on its own funding, but in 2008, RMS received a two-year, $10 million Missile Defense Agency contract to continue NCADE design and development.
In December 2007, RMS flight-tested the NCADE seeker. The test exceeded expectations when the AIM-9X missile carrying the NCADE seeker intercepted the ballistic missile target. Raytheon continues development of the NCADE.
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