Date posted: 12/17/2007*

Japan successfully test fires its first Raytheon-built Standard Missile-3

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully flight tested its first Raytheon-built Standard Missile-3, Dec. 17.  The SM-3 Block IA missile engaged and destroyed a medium-range ballistic missile target more than 60 miles above the Pacific Ocean.

Japan is working with Raytheon and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop and deploy the next-generation SM-3 Block IIA missile, which will provide a larger area of defense against more sophisticated threats.

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