U.S. Missile Defense Hits Test Target

Reuters is reporting the United States shot down a simulated, incoming intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) similar to the ones being developed by countries like North Korea, in a test of the nation’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system.

The successful test over the Pacific Ocean is significant, considering North Korea’s recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 4.

“The successful demonstration of THAAD against an IRBM-range missile threat bolsters the country’s defensive capability against developing missile threats in North Korea and other countries,” spox from the Missile Defense Agency said.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog, noted in a May report that the Missile Defense Agency had not previously tested THAAD against an IRBM, despite having deployed the system to the island of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific, in 2013 amid concerns about North Korea’s missile program.

In the latest test, a THAAD in Kodiak, Alaska, intercepted a ballistic missile target that was air-launched from a C-17 aircraft flying north of Hawaii. A defense official said the test took place early on Tuesday.

This test continues THAAD’s 100 percent success rate, with 14 intercepts of 14 attempts to its credit since flight testing began over a decade ago.

The United States has deployed THAAD to South Korea this year to guard against North Korea’s IRBMs. This has drawn criticism from Beijing and Moscow, who say the system’s powerful radar can probe deep into its territory.

Earlier this month Moscow and Beijing, in a joint statement, called on Washington to immediately halt deployment of THAAD in South Korea, stating Washington was using North Korea as a pretext to expand its military infrastructure in Asia and risked upsetting the strategic balance of power in the region.

Ummm, no. Does “No” work for you, Beijing and Moscow?

 

 

 

 

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Category: Politics