US Successfully Intercepts Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Target in Test Off Kaua‘i

The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors successfully intercepted an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile target during an operational test off Kauaʻi.

The SM-3 Block IIA was launched from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at Kauaʻi’s Pacific Missile Range Facility during the Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).

This was an operational live fire test demonstrating the capability to track and intercept an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile target with a shore launched interceptor.

The flight test consisted of an IRBM target, air-launched by a US Air Force C-17 from the broad ocean area thousands of miles southwest of the Aegis Ashore Test site.

“Today’s successful flight test demonstrated the effectiveness of the European Phased Adaptive Approach Phase 3 architecture. 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 MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves. “This system is designed to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from a real and growing ballistic missile threat.”

Based on preliminary data, the test met its objective, and program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

(Photo: 12.11.18, US Department of Defense) The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).

(Photo: 12.11.18, US Department of Defense) The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).

(Photo: 12.11.18, US Department of Defense) The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).

(Photo: 12.11.18, US Department of Defense) The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).

(Photo: 12.11.18, US Department of Defense) The Missile Defense Agency and US Navy sailors manning the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi, successfully conducted Flight Test Integrated-03 (FTI-03).