"The upcoming test also provides us the opportunity to have the Patriot
system, the THAAD system and the Aegis system all interacting with the Arrow
system so that we're demonstrating full interoperability as we execute this
test," O'Reilly said.
In 2007, Israel conducted an Arrow-2 exercise in the Pacific Ocean. Most
of the interception tests, including the last Arrow-2 launch in April 2009,
have taken place in the Mediterranean Sea.
"They're limited to the range of the missile they can test in the
eastern Mediterranean," O'Reilly said. "There's a safety issue. That's the
primary purpose of them coming to the United States to use our test range."
O'Reilly said the United States was seeking to develop a layered missile
defense umbrella, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. MDA has
been
allocated a $7.8 billion budget, a significant decrease from that under the
Bush administration.
"If we know where the threats are likely to come from and we know what
we are trying to protect, you can put your interceptors in the right place
at the right time so that you can intercept much earlier," O'Reilly said.
