Another Successful Missile Defense Test

Missile defense success: First intercept of warhead after separating from missile

WASHINGTON — A U.S. missile defense system sought by several Middle East countries has intercepted a missile with a separating warhead.

A test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) successfully intercepted a warhead on June 25. Lockheed Martin

In the first such achievement, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, shot down a target warhead that separated from the booster missile.

The June 25 test, which took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the island of Kauai in Hawaii, marked the fifth successful intercept for the THAAD program in five attempts.

"The primary objective of this highly operationally realistic test was to demonstrate target acquisition, tracking and aimpoint selection by the avionics software contained in the THAAD interceptor, and to intercept a separating target," the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said.