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US, Japan to test interceptor missile
Japan and the United States will test-fire an interceptor missile off Hawaii this week a step in developing a joint ballistic missile defense system, Japans defense agency said Tuesday.The test, to be conducted at a Navy missile range, is aimed at examining a prototype nose cone developed by Japan for an upgraded version of the Standard Missile-3, or SM-3, interceptor, a Defense Agency spokesman said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol. The spokesman said the test would be conducted this week but refused to specify the day. The SM-3 will be deployed on vessels equipped with advanced Aegis radar to defend against incoming ballistic missiles. The test would be the first using Japanese-developed missile parts, the Defense Agency spokesman said. Under a bilateral agreement in December, Japan is responsible for building nose cones and rocket engines for the SM-3 interceptors, and paying about one-third of the US$3 billion (euro2.5 billion) total cost of the project. The two countries are also finalizing plans to deploy a high resolution X-band radar system at a Japanese air force base in northern Japan to detect and intercept ballistic missiles. Tokyo became one of the most enthusiastic backers of missile defense after North Korea test-launched a long-range missile over its main island in 1998. Also this week, Japanese and U.S. officials plan to gather in Honolulu for five-day talks beginning Wednesday to discuss the planned realignment of American troops based in Japan. The plan, agreed to in October, would reduce the U.S. military presence on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa and give Tokyo greater responsibility for security in the Asia-Pacific region. Posted by: lotp 2006-03-08 |
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