US to Launch Missile Defense Test Saturday

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 30, 2001

US to Launch Missile Defense Test Saturday

The Pentagon announced Thursday that it plans to conduct a ground-based missile defense test Saturday apparently as part of the controversial National Missile Defense program.

The Pentagon announced Thursday that it plans to conduct a ground-based missile defense test Saturday apparently as part of the controversial National Missile Defense program.

The test will be the fifth of its kind aimed to intercept intercontinental missiles over the Pacific.

The Pentagon said the tentative launch window is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST (0200 GMT) Saturday and 1:00 am EST (0600 GMT) on Sunday. "It is just part of an ongoing and robust missile defense program," the Defense Department said.

During the test, a mock warhead will be fired from a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. About 20 minutes later, an interceptor missile will be fired from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

"About 10 minutes later the intercept should take place at an altitude of approximately 140 miles (225 kilometers) above the central Pacific Ocean," the Pentagon said.

Two of four similar tests have been successful, the latest conducted on July 14. The upcoming test had been scheduled for October 24 but was delayed because of technical problems.

U.S. defense officials have stressed that the test would stay within the limits of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty between the U.S. and former Soviet Union.

Many countries have expressed opposition to Washington's plan to build a national missile defense system, saying it would disrupt the foundation for a strategic international stability.