HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) director says he expects to be able to close anticipated gaps in the ability to track incoming ballistic missiles from space by 2016.

Currently, U.S. sensors -- primarily the Defense Support Program satellites and Space-Based Infrared System HEO sensors -- are providing data as soon as a ballistic missile boosts after launch.

However, a gap exists after boost, forcing MDA officials to look to reacquire a target later in its flight when the U.S. has other capability for tracking, MDA chief U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly explained Aug. 18 at the annual Space and Missile Defense Conference here.

The addition of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System -- two demonstration satellites are expected to launch next month -- will help with this task.

O'Reilly says better launch-to-intercept tracking is needed to enhance the chances of achieving ascent-phase intercept. MDA recently highlighted this as a goal in its fiscal 2010 budget proposal.

Another goal of O'Reilly is by 2020 to improve technology availability to achieve higher velocity at burnout of an interceptor through incremental upgrades to existing systems. This, he hopes, will increase the ability to launch quickly and to achieve the range needed to intercept early in a target's flight.

NFIRE launch photo credit: U.S. Missile Defense Agency