Two-Stage Interceptor Missile Succeeds in First Flight Test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on June 6 successfully conducted the first flight test of a smaller version of its ground-based interceptor being developed as a backup option for a European missile shield, the agency said June 6.

The two-stage interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and delivered an operational kill vehicle to a target point in space, as opposed to actually intercepting a target missile, an MDA press release said.

Program officials are still analyzing telemetry data from the test, but all indications are that it was a success, the release said.

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