Wednesday, October 28, 2009

DTN News: Japan Intercepts Ballistic Missile In Hawaii Test

DTN News: Japan Intercepts Ballistic Missile In Hawaii Test *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) HONOLULU, Hawaii - October 28, 2009: A Japanese navy ship has intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile in a test off Hawaii.The U.S. military fired the test's target on Tuesday from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.Japanese destroyer JS Myoko (DDG-175) ~ The JMSDF is working closely with the USA on missile defense activities. Air Force cooperation has also improved by leaps and bounds, allowing for much closer coordination with the USA in all aspects including missile tracking. Japanese involvement includes modification and improvements to the SM-3 long-range anti-air/ABM missile. This weapon will form the outer layer of Japan’s ABM system, deployed from its current fleet of 4 Kongo Class AEGIS destroyers. The inner layer will consist of land-based Japan Self Defense Forces PAC-3 Patriot missiles, and together they will form the initial ballistic missile defense for mainland Japan. Japan already has the upgraded AEGIS Weapon System and SM-3 Block IA Standard missiles in its inventory. The JMSDF has 4 AEGIS destroyers operating with SM-2 missiles at sea; the 5th and 6th AEGIS destroyers are under construction. The JMSDF is fully capable of integrating the modified AEGIS Weapon System and SM-3 Block IA into its operational forces and will receive data sufficient to maintain and support the systems. Presumably, this will include Cooperative Engagement Capability for its Kongo-Class AEGIS destroyers. The JS Myoko detected the target, tracked it and then fired an SM-3 interceptor missile from its deck. The interceptor hit the target in space above the Pacific Ocean. The Myoko is the third of four Japanese ships to be upgraded with ballistic missile defense technology. The second, the JS Chokai, participated in a test off Hawaii last November but an unidentified problem prevented its interceptor from shooting down the target. An investigation is ongoing. The first Japanese attempt, from the JS Kongo in 2007, was successful.

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