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US missile defence test 'success' | US missile defence test 'success' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The United States says it has carried out a successful test of its ballistic missile defence system. | The United States says it has carried out a successful test of its ballistic missile defence system. |
The Missile Defence Agency (MDA) said a dummy long-range missile launched from Alaska was hit by an interceptor sent up from California. | The Missile Defence Agency (MDA) said a dummy long-range missile launched from Alaska was hit by an interceptor sent up from California. |
The missile defence system under development uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets. | The missile defence system under development uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets. |
But it has a mixed record, with only five successful tests out of nine. | But it has a mixed record, with only five successful tests out of nine. |
During the last attempts to launch interceptor missiles in December 2004 and February 2005, the interceptors failed to launch from their silos. | During the last attempts to launch interceptor missiles in December 2004 and February 2005, the interceptors failed to launch from their silos. |
Friday's test was the first time the Vandenberg base in central California has been used to launch the ground-based interceptor. | Friday's test was the first time the Vandenberg base in central California has been used to launch the ground-based interceptor. |
It was also the first since North Korea test-fired ballistic missiles in July. | It was also the first since North Korea test-fired ballistic missiles in July. |
Missile shield | Missile shield |
The MDA said the $85m test was an important exercise aimed at protecting the United States against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack. | The MDA said the $85m test was an important exercise aimed at protecting the United States against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack. |
The US test was designed to determine whether the system could distinguish the target warhead from its launcher or a decoy. | The US test was designed to determine whether the system could distinguish the target warhead from its launcher or a decoy. |
MDA spokesman Rick Lehner said the agency had been hoping for a "close approach", with the interceptor manoeuvring itself near to the warhead. | MDA spokesman Rick Lehner said the agency had been hoping for a "close approach", with the interceptor manoeuvring itself near to the warhead. |
The actual intercept was "a bonus", he said. | The actual intercept was "a bonus", he said. |
He said it would take weeks to review the data collected during the test. | He said it would take weeks to review the data collected during the test. |
The results, he said, would help improve the performance of the planned shield against the type of missile that could be used to attack a US city with a weapon of mass destruction. | The results, he said, would help improve the performance of the planned shield against the type of missile that could be used to attack a US city with a weapon of mass destruction. |
The shield also includes components based at sea and in space. | The shield also includes components based at sea and in space. |
But critics say the missile defence system is a waste of money. The Associated Press reports that more than $100 billion (£52 billion) has been spent on America's missile-defense system since 1983. | |
Another interceptor test will take place later this year or in early 2007, the MDA said. | Another interceptor test will take place later this year or in early 2007, the MDA said. |
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