Second successful flight test of SM-3 Block IIA

The U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted the second successful flight test of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range on Dec. 8.

By U.S. Navy photo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

During the Controlled Test Vehicle-02 flight test, the nosecone developed by Japan separated from the missile for the first time. There was no plan for the interceptor to achieve an endgame interception in that test.

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