Missile Defense Agency Successfully Intercepts Dummy ICBM in Test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency announced Monday they successfully shot down an incoming simulated intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a highly complex test of the Pentagon's abilities to keep the country safe from attack.

According to a statement from the agency, two interceptor missiles launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California intercepted a ballistic missile launched from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, some 4,000 miles away. The first interceptor was able to hit and destroy the simulated ICBM as it was designed to do. The second interceptor tracked the resulting debris and hit a secondary object determined to be 'most lethal.'

"This was the first GBI salvo intercept of a complex, threat-representative ICBM target, and it was a critical milestone," MDA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Samuel A. Greaves said in a statement.

"The system worked exactly as it was designed to do, and the results of this test provide evidence of the practicable use of the salvo doctrine within missile defense. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat."

Monday's test was meant to ensure the U.S. could fire multiple defensive missiles if an enemy launched an attack against the country. Sensors for the ground-based interceptors were able to successfully provide data to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communication system (C2BMC), which prompted the launch of the two interceptors.

The agency's goal is to make sure the system could fire multiple defense missiles rapidly if an enemy initiated a launch. The sensors need the ability to distinguish between the incoming ICBMs and other electronic clutter in the environment, was was accomplished in Monday's test.

Photo: Missile Defense Agency


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