CIBOLA COUNTY — The skies over Cibola County have once again been illuminated by missile launches from Fort Wingate in a test of American missile defense systems.
The missiles which have flown over Cibola’s skies are being called Zombie Black Dagger and are “missile targets”, being fired with the intentional purpose of being intercepted over White Sands Missile Range in Southern New Mexico.
The renewed activity at Fort Wingate, which concluded its primary mission in 1993, is proof of this military installation’s enduring role in national security, even decades after the conclusion of its mission. With at least one confirmed missile launch in November and one unconfirmed scheduled launch for last weekend, the site has been very active.
Black Dagger Missile Tests Return
On November 2, 2024, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) successfully launched a Zombie Black Dagger missile target from Fort Wingate to White Sands Missile Range.
The test, part of the LTZ-3 mission, demonstrated the capabilities of several cutting-edge systems, including the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defense system.
Justin Novak, target test director, said “the target launched within the required timeframe and presented a representative strategic missile threat environment to the system under test.” He added, “Launching targets is a team effort, and we are fortunate to have a proficient and dedicated team that consistently delivers healthy targets to the systems under test.”
This was both the first Black Dagger launched at Fort Wingate since 2022, and the inaugural use of a newly installed fixed target launcher certified in 2023. To put it plainly This means two significant milestones have been achieved for Fort Wingate's missile testing program: First, this marks the return of Black Dagger launches to the site after a two-year hiatus; Second, it celebrates the first use of a new fixed target launcher, certified in 2023, which represents a significant technical upgrade designed to enhance the precision and reliability of future missile tests.
Olivia Miller, pad chief for the mission, called the launch a culmination of years of work, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and dedication.
'Seeing a clean launch followed by a successful intercept was the perfect culmination of the years of work dedicated to this mission,' Miller said. 'Every launch I participate in, I learn more about everyone’s roles before and during countdown. I’m continually blown away by the talent and experience we have in this program.'
Robin Heard, director of targets, Northrop Grumman at said, “Producing low-cost, high-fidelity target vehicles is a critical step toward fielding advanced systems to protect the nation and its allies from ballistic missile attacks. This program highlights the partnership between industry and USASMDC to create cost-effective solutions without sacrificing reliability and performance.”
The Black Dagger missile target, a variation of the Zombie missile program, is designed to simulate adversary tactical ballistic missiles. These targets, repurposed from demilitarized solid rocket motors, are cost-effective, reliable, and tailored to mimic real-world threats.
A New Era of Missile Defense Testing
Fort Wingate's role in missile testing reflects a larger national effort to enhance readiness against evolving global threats.
Novak, target test director for the mission, emphasized the importance of such tests in building confidence in U.S. and allied missile defense systems.
'Testing these systems with realistic strategic missile targets not only contributes to winning the current fight, it stops future battles from occurring by demonstrating that their weaponry will be ineffective against our defenses,' Novak said.
The Zombie program, developed by Northrop Grumman in partnership with Teledyne Brown Engineering and Peraton, Inc., has been a cornerstone of cost-effective missile defense testing. Under the Tactical Range Air Defense Missile (TACRAM) contract, Northrop Grumman has launched nine Zombie targets, including the Black Dagger configuration. These missions reduce the cost of testing while maintaining high-fidelity simulations of adversary threats.
Fort Wingate's Legacy
Sitting just 53 miles from Grants, Fort Wingate, a site with a storied military history dating back to the 1800s, has found new purpose as a launch site for missile defense testing.
Although its primary mission ended in 1993, the installation continues to play a vital role in national security. Covering approximately 6,465 acres, the site provides an ideal location for tests aimed at White Sands Missile Range, ensuring a controlled environment for evaluating cuttingedge technologies.
The recent tests come at a time of heightened global tensions, with NATO and U.S. leaders urging greater military preparedness. Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of NATO’s Military Committee, recently called on businesses to prepare for a “wartime scenario” and reduce reliance on adversarial nations like China and Russia. Similarly, former and future U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his 'America First' agenda, emphasizing the need for self-reliance in defense production.
The integration of advanced systems like IBCS, LTAMDS, and PAC-3 into these tests highlights the Army’s commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats. IBCS, Northrop Grumman’s revolutionary command and control system, fuses sensor data into a single actionable picture of the battlefield, giving warfighters the ability to respond more effectively. This system is expected to play a critical role in the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts, including the Defense of Guam initiative.
From its historic roots to its modern mission, Fort Wingate remains a symbol of innovation and resilience in the everevolving landscape of national defense.