The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted a complex operational flight test of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) demonstrating a layered defense architecture.

This was a highly complex operational test of the BMDS which required all elements to work together in an integrated layered defense design to detect, track, discriminate, engage, and negate the ballistic missile threats.

The test, designated Flight Test Operational-02 Event 2a (FTO-02 E2a), was conducted in the vicinity of Wake Island and surrounding areas of the western Pacific Ocean. The test stressed the ability of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems to negate two ballistic missile threats while Aegis BMD simultaneously conducted an anti-air warfare operation.