US to hold missile defense test off Kauai in next few days

US to hold missile defense test off Kauai soon

HONOLULU — The U.S. military plans to try to shoot down a simulated ballistic missile launched from a ship by intercepting it with a rocket fired from Hawaii.

It will be the latest test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their last stage of flight.

The system has so far successfully intercepted missiles six times.

U.S. Missile Defense Agency spokeswoman Pam Rogers says the test is planned “within the next few days,” but she could not provide the exact date.

The simulated enemy ballistic missile is expected to be launched from the deck of the decommissioned amphibious assault ship Tripoli.

The interceptor is to be fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.

Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, www.staradvertiser.com