Jun 23 (NHK) - The US Missile Defense Agency says its new interceptor missile failed to hit its target in its 2nd test, off the coast of Hawaii. The missile is being developed in cooperation with Japan's Defense Ministry.
The SM-3 Block IIA is a modified version of the SM-3 missile and has been in development since 2006. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in wider areas to counter North Korea and other threats.
The US agency said the target, a medium-range ballistic missile, was launched from the island of Kauai around 7:20 PM on June 21st, local time.
The Navy destroyer USS John Paul Jones detected and tracked the target, but failed to shoot it down.
