US Missile Defense System Engages 5 Targets Simultaneously

The USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) guided-missile destroyer of the United States Navy test fires RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block 1A to engaged a low flying cruise missile over water as apart of a joint ballistic missile defense exercise.

Earlier, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system successfully intercepted its first Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile which was simulating the flight profile of Medium Range Ballistic target.

Two PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles successfully tracked and successfully intercepted a Short Range Ballistic Missile and a low flying cruise missile target over water.

As a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, Standard Missile 3 can intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.