Japan shoots down missile in test off Hawaii

Space War ^ | 10/28/2009 | Staff Writers

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Japanese naval forces successfully shot down a medium-range missile off Hawaii in a test of Tokyo's missile defense weaponry, the US military said on Wednesday. A Japanese destroyer detected, tracked and knocked out the missile in mid-flight with an SM-3 interceptor rocket, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said in a statement.

The missile was launched on Tuesday at 6:00 pm Hawaii time (0400 GMT) at a missile range site off Kauai in Hawaii and at 6:04, an SM-3 interceptor was fired in response, the MDA said.

"Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean," it said.

The test, carried out in cooperation with the US Navy and the MDA, marked the third time Japanese Self-Defense forces had successfully knocked out a ballistic missile in a test.

The Japanese ship in the exercise is equipped with the Aegis radar system, which tracks the incoming missile and directs the interceptor to the target. The destroyer will be loaded with additional SM-3 interceptors before heading back to Japan, the statement said.

Japan has sought to bolster its missile defenses in the face of the threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

US President Barack Obama's administration has announced plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe using the SM-3 interceptors and the Aegis radar system.

[mvpel]

It's not your thinking that's the problem, it's the "thinking" of the Journalism School graduates who couldn't be bothered to read past the first paragraph of the press release and do a Google search for "Myoko."

[norwaypinesavage]

Pure propaganda. Everyone knows Reagan was stupid and that you can't hit a bullet with a bullet. Besides, Obama can just talk those missiles out of the air.

[mvpel]

"Wouldnt it be better to save lives than to avenge them? Are we not capable of demonstrating our peaceful intentions by applying all our abilities and our ingenuity to achieving a truly lasting stability? I think we are indeed. Indeed, we must."

- President Ronald W. Reagan, March 23, 1989

"... the Democratic alternative in the House is a far more responsible answer to the real defense needs of our nation than the misleading red scare tactics and reckless Star Wars schemes of the president."

- Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), March 23, 1989

[Landru]

"... the Democratic alternative in the House is a far more responsible answer to the real defense needs of our nation than the misleading red scare tactics and reckless Star Wars schemes of the president."
- Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), March 23, 1989

Pity no one can ask him again seeing how he's been sober for what, 8 weeks?

[Synthex]

You never know what will happen in 50 years.

[Cindy]

I understand...history is a great teacher for those willing to study it.

Thanks for your feedback Synthex.