Japan succeeds in testing ballistic missile interception

Thursday 17th September, 07:01 AM JST

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10 Comments

Farmboy at 08:07 AM JST - 17th September

In so many of these tests, there is one missile with no decoys, coming at a known time from a known direction. I wonder how they would do in a real situation. I know the missiles have improved a bit, but still...
bushlover at 08:14 AM JST - 17th September

Good next time try it out on the next NK launch if it makes it half way across the Sea of Japan.
societymike at 09:06 AM JST - 17th September

Farmboy, actually they activate the system to track anything coming in. The system itself doesn't "look" in a particular direction, it constantly scans. When it identifies the fast moving rocket alarms buzz, and asks if they want to launch. The Patriot system is really advanced and has been proven to be very effective. It's actually very reliable and has been around for 20yrs but is always being improved. Even when those NK tests are done, the current Patriot shield already set up in Japan by the US tracks them, but they don't launch against them.
bgaudry at 09:29 AM JST - 17th September

Hey North Korea, bring it!
smithinjapan at 09:51 AM JST - 17th September

I hope they never have to 'test' it out for real.
NeoJamal at 10:08 AM JST - 17th September

OK, can it shoot doen Multiple entry vehicles that are deployed from spacebourne missiles?
Yelnats at 02:59 PM JST - 17th September

NK will protest this test.
lostrune2 at 04:41 PM JST - 17th September

NeoJamal,

AFAIK, not yet. But that's why they keep developing it, to Russia's chagrin.
Farmboy at 07:24 PM JST - 17th September

It's actually very reliable and has been around for 20yrs

It's been widely criticized during those 20 years - http://www.cdi.org/friendlyversion/printversion.cfm?documentID=1798

It's getting better, though.
ca1ic0cat at 09:08 PM JST - 17th September

Yes, tomorrow we will be reading that NK is pitching another fit about this "provocative" action by Japan. Pass the brandy please...