COLORADO SPRINGS: The United States yesterday announced the first live-fire test of a Raytheon Co SM-3 missile from the land-based version of Lockheed Martin Corp’s Aegis missile defence system, which will be operational in Romania next year.
Lockheed said it was the first test of the Aegis system using a land-based missile launcher. The test, conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaii late on Tuesday, marks a significant milestone for the Aegis Ashore weapon system, which is designed to protect US and Nato forces in Europe from a ballistic missile attack.
During the test, the Aegis system used on US warships around the world detected, tracked and engaged a simulated ballistic missile target using Raytheon’s Standard Missile 3 Block IB, according to the U.S. Missile Defence Agency and the companies.
“We’re now one step closer to achieving an operational Aegis Ashore capability to combat missile defense threats to further protect our nation and allies,” Brendan Scanlon, Lockheed’s director of Aegis Ashore programs, said. The test comes amid growing interest in missile defence systems as tensions mount between Nato and Russia over its annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine. AFP
