U.S. SUCCEEDS IN SEA-BASED BMD TEST

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has succeeded in what officials termed an important sea-based missile defense test that could intercept Iran's Shihab-3 intermediate-range missile. The Missile Defense Agency said the U.S. Navy launched a StandardMissile 3, or SM-3 Block IA, interceptor that destroyed a missile with aseparating warhead. The SM-3 was fired on June 22 off the coast of Kauai,Hawaii from the USS Shiloh, an Aegis-class cruiser modified to conduct theballistic missile defense mission.