Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE)

The Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) was an air-launched missile, based on the AIM-120 AMRAAM, designed to engage short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the boost, ascent or terminal phases of flight.

The NCADE weapon system consisted of a network-enabled aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fire control, cueing and targeting sensors and an interceptor missile. The missile used a hit-to-kill kinetic energy approach against targets. The...