US Navy MDA FTM-20 Missile Test

February 13, 2013 - A Standard Missile -- 3 (SM-3) Block 1A interceptor is launched from the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block 1A successfully intercepted a target missile that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. The LAKE ERIE'S crew detected and tracked the target and its weapons system developed a fire control solution. The crew then launched the SM-3, with the intercept occurring a few minutes later. Today's test was the 24th successful intercept test in 30 flight test attempts for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program since flight testing began in 2002.