WORLD> Asia-Pacific
|
WORLD> Asia-Pacific
|
|
Japan-US missile defense test fails off Hawaii
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-20 21:35 The US Missile Defense Agency, which staged the drill in cooperation with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Forces, called it a "No Notice" test, more challenging than the first of its kind for a Japanese ship in 2007. To make it more realistic, the time of the target's launch was not disclosed to any participants, the Pentagon said in a "fact sheet" before the test. Also, the target warhead separated from its booster rocket, increasing the challenge of picking out the re-entry vehicle, the Pentagon said. In addition to the Chokai, a similarly equipped US Navy destroyer, the Paul Hamilton, tracked and successfully performed a simulated engagement against the ballistic missile, Hicks said. In December 2003, Japan decided to equip its four Kongo-class destroyers with Aegis ballistic missile defense systems at a cost of $246.1 million. Each installation was to be followed by a test intercept. The Kongo, the first to be upgraded, completed its flight test in December 2007. Myoko, the third ship to be upgraded, is to be ready next year and Kirishima, in 2010, according to Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier by sales. |
