US tests missile defense system

Photo obtained on July 30, 2017 shows a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska, during Flight Experiment THAAD (FET)-01 earlier July 30, 2017 (EDT). [Photo/VCG]

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the US Army conducted a successful missile defense test, using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the MDA said Sunday in a press release.

The MDA also said a C-17 military transport aircraft launched a medium-range target ballistic missile (MRBM) over the Pacific Ocean, which was "detected, tracked and intercepted" by the THAAD weapon system located at Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak, Alaska.

The test was conducted to gather threat data from a THAAD interceptor in flight, it added.

This was the 15th tests for the THAAD weapon system.