Japan Succeeds in Missile Interceptor Test off Hawaii

September 13, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully tested a Standard Missile-3 Block 1B interceptor off Hawaii on Wednesday, the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency said.

The interceptor fired from the MSDF destroyer Atago destroyed a mock ballistic missile in outer space that was launched around 5:35 p.m. Wednesday Japan Time (8:35 a.m. GMT) from a U.S. Navy facility on Kauai.

This was the MSDF's first test launch of an SM-3 Block 1B interceptor, according to the agency.

The Atago became Japan's fifth Aegis destroyer capable of ballistic missile defense after being revamped in December last year. Jiji Press