U.S. missile defense system intercepts medium-range missile in test

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military said it was tested on a key missile defense system on Friday, in a statement that shows a growing U.S. capability to knock down an incoming, medium-range missile from countries like North Korea and Iran.

The Aegis system used in the latest test was fitted with a Standard Missile 3 Block IIA (SM-3 IIA) interceptor being developed in a joint venture between Raytheon Co and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

It was the second successful interceptor in a row for the SM-3 IIA and will give the U.S. Missile Defense Agency more confidence that it has been resolved.

The officials said the successful test moved the system closer to production.

MDA Director General Lieutenant Sam Greaves described the test as "a superb achievement and key milestone."

Riki Ellison, chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, said it would not be able to do this.

The Poland site is part of a planned U.S. missile defense network aimed at deterring an attack by Iran but one that is viewed with suspicion by Russia.

In Friday's test, the intercepting missile was launched from the USS John Finn in the Pacific after radar on the destroyer detected and tracked the medium-range ballistic target missile. The target missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii, the MDA said.

One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the system would attempt to intercept an intermediate-range missile in the coming months, in which would be another big hurdle.

U.S.-bound North Korean missiles by using radar and more missiles to the spot and shoot inbound threats.

The military has been exploring the United States can add another layer of defenses to those already in place for intercepting incoming missiles.