This is the first test run by the fleet ran a test/training exercise. Is this a new Navy program to train CG/DDG crews in counter ballistic missile warfare? Pretty cool I think.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081102/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/missile_defense_test_2
HONOLULU - U.S. Navy officials say one of two short-range ballistic missiles shot from a military facility in Hawaii in a defense system test was hit by an interceptor missile fired from a Navy ship.
Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear says Saturday's trial marked the first time that the Navy - rather than the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency - oversaw the firing of a so-called Standard Missile-3 interceptor against a ballistic missile target.
The San Diego-based U.S. Third Fleet had command and control of the mission, in which two target missiles were fired from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai island.
An SM-3 fired from the USS Paul Hamilton directly hit the first target missile. Another ship, the USS Hopper, failed to intercept the second target missile that was fired.
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