US missile defence test fails for 3rd time in a row

KABUL): A crucial exercise and flight test of America’s ballistic missile defense system failed for the third consecutive time on Friday, the Pentagon said.

One primary goal was intercepting a long-range ballistic missile target launched from the US Army’s Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll, but the target was not achieved.

The Missile Defense Agency, the US Air Force’s 30th Space Wing, the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense conducted the integrated exercise and flight test.

A statement from the Pentagon said the interceptor missile was launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An extensive review will be conducted to determine the cause of failure.

The ground-based midcourse defense system has been tested 16 times. The military has been able to achieve the target eight times, with the last intercept in 2008.

PAN Monitor/mud

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