U.S. tests THAAD missile defense program amid North Korea threat

Asia-Pacific, News, US July 31, 2017 , by IRIA No Comments

US tests anti-ballistic missile after North Korea’s successful test of ICBM

The United States has successfully conducted a test of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) defense system in Alaska by launching a ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean, U.S. military officials said.

The U.S. test came two days after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 6,500 miles (10,400 kilometers) – far enough to reach major US cities.

U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said a medium-range ballistic missile was fired by a U.S. Air Force plane and the THAAD system — in Kodiak, Alaska — “detected, tracked and intercepted the target,” according to the MDA’s statement.

MDA also released video footage of the test. U.S. has tested the missile interception system in hopes to set it up on the Korean peninsula.

“In addition to successfully intercepting the target, the data collected will allow MDA to enhance the THAAD weapon system, our modeling and simulation capabilities, and our ability to stay ahead of the evolving threat,” said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves.

The exercise will help the U.S. “to stay ahead of the evolving threat,” said MDA Director Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves in a statement, without elaborating.

The test was the 15th successful intercept out of 15 THAAD trials, and it was carried out to collect “threat data” from an interceptor, the MDA said.

South Korea, US in talks to resume THAAD units deployment after Pyongyang missile launch

Seoul and US are discussing to resume the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) units, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry.

“As for the deployment of six (THAAD) launchers, South Korea and the US will make a decision after consultations,” Ministry of National Defense spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said during a Monday press briefing, as quoted by Yonhap news agency.

The U.S. has deployed THAAD in South Korea to guard against North Korea’s shorter-range missiles.