Navy Scores one hit in missile defense test.
Navy Scores one hit in missile defense test.
Interceptor Shield Report
Nathan J Hunt
November 2nd, 2008
On Saturday November the 1st 2008 the United States Navy ship the USS Paul Hamilton successfully intercepted one of two target missiles launched from the Pacific Missile Range at Barking Sands Kauai, Hawaii. The second target missile was engaged by a second navy ship the USS Hopper but an intercept was failed to be achieved.
The SM-3 “Standard Missile-3″ has been leading the way in successful test of the sea based system in recent years, and this spring a modified SM-3 was used to successfully shoot down a failed US spy satellite that was falling from orbit. There has been no word yet released by the Navy if the failure of the second ships ability to intercept the second target missile was due to a problem with the SM-3 or stemmed from problems with the ships systems. Saturdays test marked the first time that the US Navy by itself conducted a test of the system without the involvement of the Missile Defense Agency.
