U.S. tests ICBM interceptor system first time in three years

The United States on Tuesday tested its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) interceptor system for the first time in three years, in the wake of a series of North Korean missile tests.

The system has carried out successful intercepts in nine out of 17 attempts dating back to 1999. The most recent test was in 2014. Last year a science advocacy group said the system has no proven capability to protect the United States.

According to reports, the U.S. has two Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) systems. One is located in California, the other in Alaska, but neither has been tested since 2014. The former system is the subject of the test, when a dummy ICBM will be launched from the Marshall Islands and the interceptor system at Vandenberg Air Base in California will attempt to detect it and shoot it down.

North Korea's latest missile test came on Monday that was aimed at testing a new precision-guidance system. Pyongyang claimed the test to be successful.

This month alone the country has carried out nine missile launches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had earlier vowed to field a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching American territory.