By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer Posted : Wednesday Oct 28, 2009 13:55:36 EDT
A Japanese destroyer shot down a ballistic missile target during a seven-minute engagement off Hawaii on Tuesday night, becoming the third Japanese ship to demonstrate an engagement capability using the Aegis combat system.
The destroyer Myoko used a Standard SM-3 Block IA missile to intercept the separating medium-range target above the Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of about 100 miles, according to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The target was launched from the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range facility on Kauai island at about 6 p.m. Hawaii time. Myoko’s crew detected the launch and at about 6:04 p.m. fired the interceptor missile, which hit the target about three minutes later.
The Myoko becomes the third Japanese ship to be declared operational with the Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability. The destroyer Kongo carried out a similar successful exercise in December 2007, and another destroyer, the Chokai, performed what was termed by MDA a “successful engagement” exercise in November 2008, although a technical glitch prevented a missile interception.
A fourth Japanese Aegis destroyer, the Kirishima, also is to be upgraded with the BMD capability.
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Nineteen U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers are operational with Aegis BMD capability in addition to the three Japanese ships, and more are being upgraded.
