Japan succeeded in using a Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) interceptor to take out a target tactical ballistic missile, but a U.S. test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system had to be called off because of weak target missile performance.
In the Japanese test, a target missile was launched and destroyed by a PAC-3 interceptor delivered to the Japan Self Defense Force. That test was conducted at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
It was the first international PAC-3 test, which involved an engagement against a tactical ballistic missile target.
The test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 upgrades to the Japanese Patriot ground system, and the addition of the PAC-3 Missile Segment to detect, track, engage and destroy a target in a realistic battlefield environment, according to Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT].
Lockheed is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The upgrade consists of the PAC-3 missile interceptor, the PAC-3 missile canisters (in four packs), a fire solution computer and an enhanced launcher electronics system.
The Patriot is a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.
Raytheon Co. [RTN] is the Patriot system integrator.
Meanwhile, the United States experienced frustration in the THAAD test.
The THAAD test was terminated when the target missile malfunctioned and failed to reach a safe-intercept area in the Pacific Missile Range Facility, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced.
This is a frustrating problem for MDA, which has had other tests where missile defense interceptors were functioning well and successfully, poised for an intercept shootdown, only to have the target perform too weakly, forcing MDA to cut short the planned test.
“The target did not have enough momentum to reach the area previously approved for a safe intercept at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii,” MDA stated. “Since the target never reached the intercept area off the Kauai coast, the two THAAD interceptors taking part in the flight test were not launched.”
MDA added that program officials will review data collected during the test, and will conduct an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the malfunction.
The terminated test in no way means that there is a problem with the THAAD defense asset, which is part of the U.S. multi-layered ballistic missile defense shield.