The U. S. will conduct another missile defense test in the near future to better address the growing ballistic missile threat from North Korea.
The U. S. will conduct another missile defense test in the near future to better address the growing ballistic missile threat from North Korea.
The U. S. Coast Guard issued a warning to mariners earlier this week to steer clear of the waterways between Kodiak Island in Alaska and Hawaii this coming weekend, according to the Kodiak Daily Mirror. U. S. military personnel are stationed at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska to conduct a test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile shield.
The U. S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful intermediate-range ballistic missile intercept test using the THAAD system earlier this month. THAAD, a kinetic missile defense system designed to eliminate short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, has a perfect 14 out of 14 success rate for intercepts. In the most recent test, the missile shield intercepted an IRBM launched from an Air Force cargo plane near Hawaii.
North Korea tested a new IRBM — the Hwasong-12 — in May.
“This test further demonstrates the capabilities of the THAAD weapon system and its ability to intercept and destroy ballistic missile threats. THAAD continues to protect our citizens, deployed forces and allies from a real and growing threat, ” Missile Defense Agency Director Lt.
