Hop To it USS Hopper / 19th Successful SM-3 test
Interceptor Shield Report
Nathan J Hunt
July 31, 2009
Last Morning on July 30, 2009 The Crew of the Navy’s USS Hopper demonstrated their preparedness training and ability to engage threats with the 19th successful test of the sea based missile defense system, the test also marks the 19th successful test of the system out 23 at sea test firings, the test also tested further improvements and software upgrades of the ships Spy-1 radar system for facilitating the deployment and fielding of the more advanced SM-3 block1b and block-2 updated SM-3s that will have farther range and allow engagement of targets at longer stand off range and deeper inside conflict zones once deployed.
The test took place from the Pacific Range Missile Facility at Barking sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Taking part alongside the USS Hopper DDG 70 in last mornings test were the USS Lake Erie CG-70 and USS Destroyer O’Kane DDG 77.
Last mornings test comes at a time as tensions with North Korea Continue to simmer and underscores the United States ability and determination to engages ballistic missile threats from sea before they can reach the United States and serve as a warning to the countries of North Korea and Iran that even if they built ballistic missiles we will be able to engage and eliminate them before they can reach us and we will continue to field these systems.
