February 23, 2006 :: The Missile Defense Agency :: News
The Missile Defense Agency today successfully tested an upgraded early warning radar located at Beale Air Force Base, California, which forms a part of the missile defense system being developed. A long-range Strategic Targets System (STARS) rocket was launched from the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska, and was successfully tracked by the Beale AFB radar during the exercise. Other news reports noted that the 35-foot long target missile was indeed launched, and its payload traveled 2,500 miles toward the California-Mexico border, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
An interceptor missile, such as the Ground Based Interceptors some of which are based at Vandenberg AFB, was not launched during the exercise, “but the test did include the launch of a simulated interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. using performance data from previous interceptor launches.” (Article)
» Video by Missile Defense Agency of February 23 test
» MDA photos of test
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Kodiak Launch Complex
