The Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful “important exercise and flight test” Friday from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., of a ground-based interceptor missile, ultimately to be used to protect the nation against long-range ballistic missiles. Air Force Lt. Gen. Trey Obering, MDA chief, told reporters earlier that the test would be “realistic” but the interceptor’s kill vehicle would not impact the target missile. That test remains on schedule for later this year.
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.