WASHINGTON Ñ The United States reports its first success in an
operational test of the PAC-3 missile defense system.
The U.S. Army said the PAC-3 destroyed a target missile and an unmanned
air vehicle at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The army said it
was first success by the PAC-3 in an operational test.
"Preliminary data indicate that the missiles hit their targets," the
army said on Thursday. "The Hera target was engaged and destroyed by a PAC-3
missile and a PAC-2 engaged and destroyed the subscale drone target."
U.S. officials said the test aimed to determine whether the PAC system
could identify the targets and fire a suitable interceptor. PAC-3 employs
hit-to-kill technology. The PAC-2 uses a blast fragmentation warhead that
can also destroy aircraft.
The PAC-3 is the latest model of the Patriot system used in the 1991
Gulf war. The Patriot was designed to destroy enemy aircraft and in the
1990s redesigned to destroy ballistic missiles after their reentry in the
atmosphere.
A previous operational test Ñ the first such test Ñ was deemed
unsuccessful. That test had also employed a combination of the PAC-3 and the
improved PAC-2 interceptors.
Several U.S. allies, including those in the Middle East, have expressed
interest in the PAC-3. Another option is for an upgrade of the PAC-2 system
to improve its missile defense capabilities.
