Missile defense system tested over Pacific Ocean

PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Hawaii (AP) - The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors completed a successful test of a missile defense system by destroying a target launched in the Pacific Ocean.

The Department of Defense says a separating short-range ballistic missile target was launched Wednesday night from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The USS Lake Erie detected and tracked the missile and launched a block missile that released a kinetic warhead, which destroyed the target.

Officials say the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system worked as designed.

The test involved the latest version of the system, which can handle engagement of longer-range and more sophisticated missiles.

The defense system has successfully intercepted 25 of 31 missiles since tests began in 2002.

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