US successfully conducts intermediate range ballistic missile intercept test

WASHINGTON - The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said on Tuesday that it has successfully intercepted an intermediate range ballistic missile target during an operational test.

"This was an operational live fire test demonstrating the Aegis Weapon System Engage On Remote capability to track and intercept an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target with an Aegis Ashore-launched Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor," said the MDA.

An intermediate-range ballistic missile usually stands for a ballistic missile with a range of 3,000 km to 5,500 km.

Raytheon Company, the builder of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor, said this was the first successful intercept for its interceptor launched from land. Its SM-3 series interceptor is commonly known as a ballistic missile interceptor that was launched from warships before this test.

Raytheon also said this was the first time for its interceptor to destroy an intermediate range ballistic missile target. Meanwhile, the interceptor completed the test using data from remote sensors, which was also the first time for the interceptor.

"It also was of great significance to the future of multi-domain missile defense operations and supports a critical initial production acquisition milestone for the SM-3 Block IIA missile program," said Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, director of the MDA.

The MDA said the test met its objective based on preliminary data, and its officials would further analyze telemetry and other data in order to evaluate the performance of the system.