WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully tested the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapons system from the USS Carney, USS Gonzalez, and USS Barry, the agency said in a statement.
“At approximately 2:30 a.m. EST today, three short-range ballistic missile targets were launched near simultaneously from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia. Two Aegis BMD destroyers acquired and tracked the targets,” MDA said on Tuesday.
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships used the test to simulate coordination to identify the targets in order to determine which ship was in a better position shoot, MDA said. The simulation is used to avoid duplication and multiple fire. The test did not include guided missile launches to intercept the ballistic missiles.
The MDA said the results of the test would be used to improve the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The Aegis system is the sea-based component of the missile defense system to be deployed in Europe to protect US forces and allies, the missile agency said.
