U.S. successfully tests missile defense shield

Kyodo via Breitbart ^ | Dec 5, 2008 | N/A

[Jet Jaguar]

The Defense Department said Friday it successfully tested its missile defense system aimed at intercepting long-range ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea.

But the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency admitted that the target failed to deploy planned countermeasures that would have tried to confuse an interceptor missile.

The interceptor missile, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, struck the target at 3:23 p.m. EST, shortly after the target was fired from Kodiak, Alaska.

"It was the largest, most complex test we have ever done," Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, the head of the MDA, said at a press briefing, adding the test was effectively meant to simulate the speed and trajectory of a long-range ballistic missile attack from North Korea.

"The geometries from a launch from North Korea to the United States is very similar to the geometries from Kodiak Alaska to off the coast of California. So it is very similar," he said.

The Pentagon described the test as a success, though it acknowledged that the target missile did not deploy countermeasures designed to help it avoid destruction.

O'Reilly stopped short of saying what those countermeasures were. But experts say they often include decoys or chaff -- strips of foil to confuse enemy radar.

Despite the failure of the countermeasures, Brian Green, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, said the successful test should contribute to shoring up the missile defense program.

"We have just had a good description of an operationally realistic test," he said at the same briefing. "Successful tests, I think, always help to reinforce confidence in the system."

The Pentagon contends the missile defense system is needed to shield the United States and its allies from growing threats from North Korea and other countries, including Iran.

Friday's test came before President-elect Barack Obama, a Democrat, takes office on Jan. 20. The program is a key policy of the administration of outgoing President George W. Bush, a Republican.

Obama voiced doubts about the capabilities of the program during the presidential election campaign. He also said later that he will support the program if it works.

[Jet Jaguar]

"Obama voiced doubts about the capabilities of the program during the presidential election campaign. He also said later that he will support the program if it works. "

We will see if he votes present on this issue as well.

[Rembrandt]

Thank you again Ronald Reagan.

[TYVets]

The target missile launched from Kodiak, Alaska did not deploy countermeasures,,

Palin's fault