High Endoatmospheric Defense Interceptor

High Endoatmospheric Defense Interceptor (HEDI) was an atmospheric missile defense layer developed for the Strategic Defense Initiative, along with Exoatmospheric Reentry-vehicle Interceptor Subsystem.

It consisted of a two-stage launch vehicle (booster) and an infrared homing kill vehicle with a conventional warhead.

[1] Hughes Aircraft and Aerojet were contractors, and McDonnell Douglas was the system integrator.

[1][2] The HEDI aimed to employ ground-based missiles to intercept submarine-launched ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles and operate in the high endoatmosphere region in order to destroy them.

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