US probes Pacific missile test failure: Pentagon

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US probes Pacific missile test failure: Pentagon


A modified "target vehicle" is seen during a missile test over the Marshall Islands in the Pacific

(AFP) – 21 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The US military failed to shoot down a ballistic missile in a test resembling an Iranian or North Korean strike after a radar malfunctioned, a spokesman said on Monday.

The test was carried out on Sunday at a US Army site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands but the target missile was not intercepted as planned, said Rick Lehner, spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency.

The ground-based interceptor was launched from Vandenberg Air Force base in California and performed "normally," but the the sea-based X-band radar "did not perform as expected" in the test, the MDA said in a statement.

Officials had launched an investigation into the test and it would take "several weeks before they have an initial report," Lehner told AFP.

The target missile in the test represents "the type of technology that a country such as North Korea or Iran might be able to develop in the future that would threaten the United States," he said.

The test came as the Pentagon released a report that warned Iran and North Korea continue to pursue long-range ballistic missiles and described both countries' intermediate and shorter-range missiles as "regional threats" to US forces, allies and partners.

The Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report also voiced concern over Syria's mobile, short-range missile arsenal that can reach much of Israel, parts of Iraq, Jordan and Turkey.

Sunday's test follows reports that the US military was speeding up deployment of defenses against potential Iranian missile attacks in the Gulf to heed off any possible retaliation.

The move involved moving ships off the Iranian coast and anti-missile systems in at least four Arab countries -- Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait -- the New York Times reported, citing administration and military officials.

AFP: US probes Pacific missile test failure: Pentagon

 

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Missile Defense Test Flops as U.S. Unveils New Strategy

[PHOTO: U.S. Department of Defense]

By Nathan Hodge February 1, 2010 | 5:43 pm | Categories: Rogue States

Over the weekend, the Missile Defense Agency released news of another failed intercept test. And no, the interceptor didn’t fail to lift off or fly off course. This time, the tracking radar that wasn’t up to scratch.

According to an military news release, a Sea-Based X-Band (SBX) radar in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was supposed track a target missile launched from Kwajalein Atoll, relaying the data to a ground-based interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. While both the target missile and interceptor launched successfully, the interceptor failed to hit the target. According to the agency, the SBX “did not perform as expected.”

It was supposed to be a test of a new concept: using the SBX as the primary engagement radar for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. But it was was also supposed to be an advertisement for a missile defense system that was gradually working out the kinks.

President Barack Obama is pursuing a new vision of ballistic missile defense, one billed as a more prudent — and more realistic — alternative to the plans backed by his predecessor. But as the newly released Pentagon review acknowledges, building a capable, and affordable, missile shield won’t happen overnight.

As part of the February 1st budget-’n-strategy extravaganza, the Pentagon released the Ballistic Missile Defense Review. It’s a blueprint for building missile defenses that are “cost-effective and proven,” and that can stand up to realistic testing. The new mantra here is the “phased adaptive approach,” which means gradually bulking up regional defenses against short- and medium-range missiles, instead of a more immediate focus on knocking down long-range missiles.

The review is built around this assumption: “Rogue states” like Iran and North Korea don’t yet pose a credible threat to U.S. territory. But the military needs to prepare for a possible surprise advance in the missile threat.

Obama took the first step in this direction when he scrapped plans to site ground-based interceptors in Europe. The new “phased plan” calls for fielding a more advanced sea-based missile interceptor (the Standard Missile-3, pictured here) and stationing more sensors in Europe. The next stage would involve placing land-based SM-3s in southern Europe to expand coverage to more NATO allies; further down the road — 2018 and beyond — the plan calls for improved coverage against medium- and intermediate-range threats by stationing land-based SM-3s somewhere in northern Europe, as well as by fielding an upgraded interceptor, the the SM-3 Block IIA.

The plan also hinges on getting more countries to sign onto this new approach. As we first reported, the U.S. military now has two SM-3 equipped Aegis ballistic missile defense ships on station in the Persian Gulf to respond to the Iranian missile threat; it also has eight Patriot missile batteries in four countries around the region.

International buy-in is also key in Asia, and the new review points to Japan as a model of partnership. Japan has invested heavily in missile-defense assets, buying anti-missile Aegis ships, Patriot Advanced Capability 3 fire units, some early warning radars, and a new command and control system.

This weekend’s test, however, was a setback for missile defense. MDA spokesman Rick Lehner told Danger Room the agency would conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the failure to intercept.

Missile Defense Test Flops as U.S. Unveils New Strategy

 

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US had a successful test before but also some failures. Just goes to make you think how reliable the system actually is (not bashing but it will be similar with other systems too). It's not like those missiles/procedures are cheap/simple enough to be tested over and over again.

If a real ICBM attack comes how fast can the system react. They take about 30mins if fired across pacific.