Pentagon conducts latest test of US-Japan interceptor
The US military on 11 November successfully conducted a test of a new ballistic-missile interceptor system, which is being co-developed with Japan.
The launch marks the second successful test in less than two months for the SM-3 Block IIA missile and its associated technologies, which had previously experienced failures.
According to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), sailors at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii tracked and intercepted an intermediate-range missile with an SM-3.
The target in 11 December’s test was an air-launched missile, fired from an Air Force C-17 plane over the ocean thousands of miles southwest of the Aegis Ashore system.
‘The engagement leveraged a ground, air and space-based sensor/command and control architecture,’ the MDA said in a statement.
In October, the US military successfully shot down a medium-range ballistic missile with an SM-3.
That successful operation came after two failed intercept tests, in June 2017 and January 2018.
A test firing in February 2017 had been successful.
The MDA said this year that America had so far spent about $2.2 billion on the system and Japan had contributed about $1 billion.
The SM-3 Block IIA missile - made by arms giant Raytheon - is a key piece of NATO's missile defence system and is due to be deployed in Poland in 2020.
‘This system is designed to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from a real and growing ballistic missile threat,’ MDA director Lt Gen Sam Greaves said.
More from Defence Notes
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
-
European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy
The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.
-
Boeing fined $51 million due to unauthorised exports
An administrative settlement between the US Department of State and the manufacturer resolved 199 violations of US regulations including unauthorised exports of technical data to China.