US military successfully intercepts missile in defense test over Pacific Ocean

The US Department of Defense successfully intercepted a short-range ballistic missile target during a missile defense test over the Pacific Ocean.

The department said that it was an operationally realistic test, in which the target's launch time and bearing are not known in advance, and the target complex was the most difficult target engaged to date.

Pentagon said that the short-range missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii and the target flew northwest towards a broad ocean area of the Pacific Ocean.

It further said that it was the 'first salvo mission' of two SM-3 Block IB guided missiles launched simultaneously against a single target.

Pentagon noted that the test exercised the latest version of the second-generation Aegis BMD Weapon System, capable of engaging longer range and more sophisticated ballistic missiles.