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Missile Defense Test Score Goes Three-in-a-row
Monday, March 18, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Each test of the missile defense system costs about $100 million, Defense Department officials have said. The Missile Defense Agency is aiming to conduct quarterly tests. The next is set for June or July, officials said.

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
A ballistic missile interceptor successfully destroyed a test target March 16 in what Missile Defense Agency officials hope is becoming an almost routine occurrence.

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense System's exoatmospheric kill vehicle vaporized a mock nuclear warhead on impact 140 miles over the Pacific. The hit-to-kill vehicle distinguished the mock warhead from decoys and other debris. The March 16 test was the third success in a row and fourth out of six tries.

Missile Defense Agency officials said the test was in keeping with the program's intent to make each test more challenging than the last.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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