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MDA Planning Second Test of SM-3 IIA Against ICBM Target

MDA Planning Second Test of SM-3 IIA Against ICBM Target
An SM-3 Block IIA was launched from the USS John Finn (DDG-113) on Nov. 16, 2020, as part of FTM-44 to evaluate the feasibility of the SM-3 Block IIA capability to defeat an ICBM threat. (Photo: U.S. Missile Defense Agency)

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is planning a second intercept flight test of the Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IIA against an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) target following the first successful test last year. Last November, MDA and the Navy successfully intercepted an ICBM-type target via an SM-3 IIA launched off the Aegis-equipped destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113) using an engage-on-remote capability. The scenario was to defend Hawaii against a North Korean-style lone missile attack. The test was called Flight Test…

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