U.S. missile interceptor test deemed successful

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army has completed a successful test of a missile interceptor, officials said.

U.S. Army officials said a test by the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System [JLENS] was successful. The army's Space and Missile Defense Command included the launch of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles [Amraam] in a demonstration of Forward Pass.

Officials said Forward Pass is a concept in which a sensor on board an elevated aerostat platform guides a surface-launched interceptor missile beyond the range of its own radar to the point of engagement. The concept requires separate surveillance and precision track and illumination radars to identify targets and cue the interceptor to destroy low-flying, maneuvering cruise missile targets.

In an April 4, test, officials said an Amraam destroyed a target that simulated a low-flying cruise missile. The shoot-down was one of four cruise missile engagements planned during the exercise, which is sponsored by the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization.

Officials said JLENS will consist of two elevated sensors: a surveillance radar and a precision tracking and illumination radar. The prime contractor is Raytheon Company of Bedford, Mass.