Editing Aegis Combat System (section)

{{Short description|American integrated naval weapons system developed by RCA and produced by Lockheed Martin}}
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[[File:USS Lake Champlain (CG-57).JPG|thumb|{{USS|Lake Champlain|CG-57|6}}, a {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|0}} Aegis-equipped [[guided missile]] cruiser, launched in 1987. Beginning with {{USS|Bunker Hill|CG-52|6}}, this version is equipped with the [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mark 41 VLS]], whereas earlier versions were equipped with the [[Mark 26 missile launcher|Mark-26 twin-arm missile launcher system]].]]

The '''Aegis Combat System''' is an American integrated naval weapons system, which uses computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. It was developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of [[RCA]], and it is now produced by [[Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control|Lockheed Martin]].

Initially used by the [[United States Navy]], Aegis is now used also by the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]], [[Spanish Navy]], [[Royal Norwegian Navy]], [[Republic of Korea Navy]], and [[Royal Australian Navy]], and is planned for use by the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]. As of 2022, a total of 110 Aegis-equipped ships have been deployed, and 71 more are planned (see [[#Operators|operators]]).

[[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System|Aegis BMD]] (Ballistic Missile Defense) capabilities are being developed as part of the [[NATO missile defense system]].<ref name="The White House">{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet on U.S. Missile Defense Policy - A "Phased, Adaptive Approach" for Missile Defense in Europe|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/FACT-SHEET-US-Missile-Defense-Policy-A-Phased-Adaptive-Approach-for-Missile-Defense-in-Europe|work=Office of the Press Secretary|publisher=The White House|access-date=23 August 2012|date=17 September 2009}}</ref>