U.S. announces successful test of anti-missile system (Write it up!)

Below is the Missile Defense Agency's press release regarding the intercept test:

HOMELAND MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SUCCESSFULLY INTERCEPTS ICBM TARGET

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force 30th
Space Wing, the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile
Defense and U.S. Northern Command, today successfully intercepted an
intercontinental ballistic missile target during a test of the Ground-based
Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the nation's ballistic missile defense
system.

This was the first live-fire test event against an ICBM-class target for GMD
and the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.

During the test, an ICBM-class target was launched from the Reagan Test Site
on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Multiple sensors
provided target acquisition and tracking data to the Command, Control,
Battle Management and Communication (C2BMC) system. The Sea-Based X-band
radar, positioned in the Pacific Ocean, also acquired and tracked the
target. The GMD system received the target tracking data and developed a
fire control solution to intercept the target.

A ground-based interceptor was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base,
California, and its exo-atmospheric kill vehicle intercepted and destroyed
the target in a direct collision.

"The intercept of a complex, threat-representative ICBM target is an
incredible accomplishment for the GMD system and a critical milestone for
this program," said MDA Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring. "This system is
vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates
that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat. I am
incredibly proud of the warfighters who executed this test and who operate
this system every day."

Initial indications are that the test met its primary objective, but program
officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry
and other data obtained during the test.

The test, designated Flight Test Ground-Based Interceptor (FTG)-15, will
provide the data necessary to assess the performance of the GMD system and
provide enhanced homeland defense capabilities.

The GMD element of the ballistic missile defense system provides combatant
commanders the capability to engage and destroy intermediate and long-range
ballistic missile threats to protect the U.S. The mission of the Missile
Defense Agency is to develop and deploy a layered ballistic missile defense
system to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies and friends
from limited ballistic missile attacks of all ranges in all phases of
flight.