US plans to test THAAD missile defenses

Credit: NurPhoto

Credit: NurPhoto

The United States is expected to test its THAAD missile defense system against an intermediate range ballistic missile in the next few days, Reuters reported Friday.

The test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile, designed to shoot down medium and intermediate range missiles, has been planned for months, Reuters reported. The test takes on greater significance after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this week.

The THAAD interceptors will be fired from Alaska, Reuters reported.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency confirmed to Reuters that it planned a THAAD test “in early July.”

MDA spokesman Chris Johnson said the THAAD weapon system at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska, would “detect, track and engage a target with a THAAD interceptor.”

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