The Most Powerful
Air-Based Laser Moves Forward

Nearing deployment of the world's most powerful laser built for an airborne environment, the Missile Defense Agency sees a continuing strategic role for directed energy. MDA has designed the Airborne Laser (ABL) to detect, track, target and destroy ballistic missiles during their boost-phase, or shortly after launch.

The Airborne Laser program brings together a unique combination of technologies: a 747 freight aircraft, an advanced detection and tracking system, adaptive optics and a revolutionary, high-energy laser, all of which are being integrated into a single weapon system for the first time.

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Now is your opportunity to explore the career possibilities, and potential, of working with the Missile Defense Agency. If you are interested in a preliminary review of your qualifications for a position, e-mail your resume/CV to MDAengineers@mda.mil. If you are qualified, you will be contacted for further consideration and asked to complete an online application.

Engineers: Help Build the BMDS

We recruit Engineers from a wide array of specialties -- aerospace, IT, systems, radar, electrical, chemical, mechanical and others -- and apply their skills to supporting development and deployment of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Duties include systems planning, research, development and a variety of tasks in areas such as systems engineering, radars, missiles, targets, command & control, modeling and simulation, kill vehicles, space vehicles, directed energy or systems architecture.

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How to Have an Aerospace Career as Big as Your Mind

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is creating a culture based on bringing out the best in technical capabilities. The premise is that most engineers like to accomplish solutions to big challenges. They're appropriately wary of spending years stuck in their cubicles, working on miniscule aspects of a project and never grasping the whole.

MDA uses a matrix management form of organization that pools individuals with similar talents under a functional manager-mentor. This mentor guides the employee's career as it traverses through different programs and crosses disciplines.

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Event:
Missile Defense Events

Video:
2008 Obering Overview

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is a DoD research, development and test agency with one of the most complex and challenging missions in our country's history: protecting the United States, our deployed forces, allies and friends from ballistic-missile attack.

Currently, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency is hiring across a variety of career fields. Learn more about these areas of opportunity and explore openings at the U.S. Missile Defense Agency now! Join MDA and make a difference in your career while serving your country.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is an EOE; U.S. Citizenship required.

Blog: MDA breaks ground on facility at Redstone Arsenal

The Missile Defense Agency broke ground on its new 839,873-square-foot Von Braun Complex, destined to be the largest building on the Army's Redstone Arsenal post. The project, which will feature an auditorium, cafeteria, fitness center and enough office space to accommodate about 2,650 staffers, was designed and will be constructed by Atlanta-based Archer Western Contractors Ltd. It is scheduled for completion in 2010. The Huntsville Times (Ala.)/Redstone Rocket blog (5/2)

MDA chief: U.S. missile defenses difficult to penetrate

Faced with a worldwide missile race in which potential enemies have better access to offensive missile systems, the head of the Missile Defense Agency said, the U.S. should continue to pursue a variety of defensive strategies including interceptors, radar and satellites. Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry Obering told the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee that recent efforts to place an advanced radar suite in the Czech Republic and a dozen missile interceptors in Poland would result in a "layered" defense that will be difficult to penetrate and may deter enemies from building large arsenals. Defense News (4/23)

Report: Hampered by difficulties, directed-energy weapons still hold promise

A December report by the Defense Science Board Task Force on Directed Energy Weapons remains positive about the potential of directed-energy weapons featuring high-energy laser or high-powered microwave capabilities despite decades of stalled progress and overly confident expectations by the Defense Department. The report cited an urgent need for cost-benefit analyses and cautioned that conventional weapons can compete successfully with some DE systems now in development. However, there remain a number of areas where HEL and HPM systems could provide better or even unique capabilities, the report acknowledged. Jane's Defence News (4/11)

Zinc complexes give explosives detectors an edge

Zinc complexes that not only detect plastic explosives, but indicate the type of explosive present, have been developed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst for use in portable sensors with applications for the military and security personnel. The zinc molecules work by immediately losing their natural fluorescence when in proximity to plastic explosives, with each compound resulting in a different visual display. "This ability is a real advantage for airport security personnel and law enforcement officials, who need to quickly detect and identify what type of explosives they are dealing with," said chemistry professor Michael Knapp. Space War (5/15)

Modern threats require offensive and defensive strategies

Emerging and diverse threats from around the globe are prompting the U.S. to shore up its offensive weaponry with missile defense systems that allow for greater flexibility, says the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Conceived as part of the "New Triad" following the Cold War, the strategy combines offensive and defensive capabilities in order to provide the nation with a range of options in the event of hostilities. GlobalSecurity.org/American Forces Press Service (4/1)