The Pentagon is set to conduct two major high-stakes tests in May of its ability to shoot down missiles launched out of North Korea.
The long-scheduled tests in the Pacific are part of the US military’s overall ballistic missile defense program to defend against North Korean or Iranian threats but are, for now at least, aimed at ensuring the US can defend against a threat from North Kore. In the upcoming test, a missile will be launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and attempt to intercept a simulated missile over the Pacific Ocean.
A defense official said one of the actions will involve test-firing an improved Standard Missile off a Navy ship, the tests are taking place over the Pacific because that’s where the test ranges are large enough to accommodate them.
The upgrade missile has only been tested before the new version has an improved booster and warhead, that means the missile could fire at longer ranges, presumably farther from the North Korean coastline, and have a greater chance of hitting the threatening incoming missile.
According to the Defense Department, that test involves long-range ground-based interceptor missiles based in Alaska and California. That program has also been in existence for over a decade, but only about half the tests have been successful.
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