The Ballistic Missile Defense test at Wake Island on Oct. 31 was more sophisticated than thought.
Photo: Missile Defense Agency
A THAAD missile defense system and USS John Paul Jones deployed for this exercise. A Short Range Air Launch Target (SRALT) was intercepted and destroyed by the THAAD. A C-17 then launch an extended Medium Range Ballistic Missile (eMRBM) into the debris field created by that first intercept.
The main aim is to determine if the Aegis system aboard the destroyer could lock on to the eMRBM while it was inside that debris field. And to make life difficult for the crew aboard USS John Paul Jones, a BQM-74E was launched towards the ship as well.
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