U.S., Japanese forces intercept ballistic missile in test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in conjunction with Japan, reported this week that its first practice intervention flight test in Hawaii was a success, as they defended a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA target while aboard the USS John Paul Jones.
During the practice, the U.S. and Japan were testing a new weapon system for interceptions. The target was fired from the Pacific Missile Range in Kauai. The sailors aboard the ship tracked the target and had it secured.
“[The] test demonstrates a critical milestone in the cooperative development of the SM-3 Block IIA missile,” Vice Admiral Jim Syring, the MDA director, said. "The missile, developed jointly by a Japanese and U.S. government and industry team, is vitally important to both our nations and will ultimately improve our ability to defend against increasing ballistic missile threats around the world."
As reported by the Department of Defense, this was the first time the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapons system intercepted a target. Previously, it had been used during tests, though not to defend a target. Additionally, this was the first time this specific defense weapon had been shot off the ship.
With this operation, the two countries are seeking a cooperative relationship to “defeat ballistic missiles.”