{{Short description|U.S. missile defense program}} [[File:Mkv-L hover test.jpg|thumb|Test of MKV-L]] The '''Multiple Kill Vehicle''' ('''MKV''') was a planned U.S. [[missile defense]] program<ref name="MDA">{{Cite web |title=Multiple Kill Vehicle |url=http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/html/asptmkv.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713120600/http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/html/asptmkv.html |archive-date=2009-07-13 |website=[[Missile Defense Agency|U.S. Missile Defense Agency]]}}</ref> whose goal was to design, develop, and deploy multiple small [[kinetic energy]]-based warheads that can intercept and destroy multiple ballistic missiles, including possible decoy targets ([[penetration aid]]s).
The MKV concept provided the capability for more than one kill vehicle to be launched from a single [[Booster (rocketry)|booster]]. The system included a carrier vehicle with on-board sensors and a number of kill vehicles, each equipped with its own navigation [[Rocket engine|thrusters]] and weighing around {{convert|10|lb|kg}}. With multiple kill vehicles on a single target "cloud" the probability for a hit on the actual warhead is enhanced. The capability of the system to intercept multiple independent targets was also planned to be tested.<ref name="MDA" />
The MKV mission was to destroy medium-range through intercontinental-range [[ballistic missile]]s equipped with multiple [[warhead]]s or [[countermeasure]]s by using a single interceptor missile. During an actual hostile ballistic missile attack, the carrier vehicle with its cargo of small kill vehicles would have maneuvered into the path of an enemy missile. Using tracking data from the [[Ballistic Missile Defense System]] and its own seeker, the carrier vehicle would have dispensed and guided the kill vehicles to destroy any warheads or countermeasures.<ref name="Missile Defense Agency">{{Cite web |title=Multiple Kill Vehicle Completes Hover Test |url=http://www.mda.mil/mdaLink/pdf/08fyi0110.pdf |date=2008-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714013038/http://www.mda.mil/mdaLink/pdf/08fyi0110.pdf |archive-date=2009-07-14 |website=[[Missile Defense Agency|U.S. Missile Defense Agency]]}}</ref>
After successful development, MKV was planned to be deployed on board [[Ground-Based Interceptor]] (GBI) missiles, [[Kinetic Energy Interceptor]] (KEI) and [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3|SM-3 Block IIA]] as well. The MKV technology was being developed on a dual-path basis by [[Lockheed Martin Space Systems]] Company, designated MKV-L, and the [[Raytheon]] Company (MKV-R).<ref name="Missile Defense Agency"/> The [[Missile Defense Agency]] announced that a test of the MKV-L was conducted 2 December 2008, at the National Hover Test Facility at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], California.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,464846,00.html|title=Rapid-Fire Killer Robot Passes Flightest |publisher= FoxNews.com |date= 2008-12-11 |accessdate= 2008-12-13}}</ref>
Preliminary indications were that planned test objectives were achieved. Objectives of the test included having the MKV-L hover under its own power and prove its capability to recognize and track a surrogate target in a flight environment. During the test, the MKV-L's propulsion system demonstrated maneuverability while [[Missile guidance|tracking a target]]. The MKV-L transmitted video and flight [[telemetry]] to the ground.<ref name="Missile Defense Agency"/>
On April 6, 2009, [[United States Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert M. Gates]] announced that [[the Pentagon]]'s budget would be reshaped. Under this proposal the MKV program would be terminated.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/us/politics/07defense.html?hpw | work=The New York Times | title=Military Budget Reflects a Shift in U.S. Strategy | first1=Christopher | last1=Drew | first2=Elisabeth | last2=Bumiller | date=2009-04-07 | accessdate=2010-05-13}}</ref>
A similar program was restarted in August 2015, when Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin were contracted to design a Multi-Object Kill Vehicle concept. Raytheon released information that seemed to indicate they were exclusively involved in this work, but it was incorrect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-takes-next-step-toward-defining-multi-object-kill-vehicle-concept-300182522.html|publisher=PR News Wire|title=Raytheon takes next step toward defining Multi-Object Kill Vehicle concept}}</ref>
==See also== *[[Kill vehicle]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081006122929/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/MKV/index.html Lockheed Martin MKV Website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090109014222/http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/videos/mkvhover2DEC08.wmv December 2008 hover test video] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/mkv.htm MKV - GlobalSecurity.org]
[[Category:Missile defense]] [[Category:Anti-ballistic missiles of the United States]]