Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptor, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Jan. 28, successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of its new Capability Enhancement-II Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV).
![GM-CTV-02_002[1]](http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GM-CTV-02_0021.jpg)
Photo: Missile Defense Agency
Although an intermediate-range ballistic missile target was launched during the testing, the EKV was programmed not to carry out an intercept to destroy the target.
Instead the “kill vehicle performed scripted maneuvers to demonstrate performance of alternate divert thrusters. Upon entering terminal phase, the kill vehicle initiated a planned burn sequence to evaluate the alternate divert thrusters until fuel was exhausted, intentionally precluding an intercept, ” the press release said.