In this footage, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA)of the US, successfully conducts a flight test of a three-stage Ground-Based Interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.on 26th Jan, 2013.
Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon worked in unison with the MDA to carry out this test of a ground-based interceptor used in defending against ballistic missiles.
The Defense Department said the test involved a Boeing-made interceptor and a Raytheon-made component that separates from the interceptor to attack the missile.
Northrop said MDA used the company’s command launch equipment software to launch the interceptor.
In the event of a missile threat, the Pentagon said Raytheon’s Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle would intercept the missile.
During the test, the Pentagon reported the interceptor deployed the EKV to a designated point in space, then the EKV carried out pre-planned maneuvers to collect data in space.