U.S., Japan conduct SM-3 Block IIA non-intercept flight test

The U.S. and Japanese militaries have conducted a non-intercept flight test of the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA system off the coast of California, according to a Missile Defense Agency statement released this evening.

The interceptor was launched from the Point Mugu Sea Range on San Nicolas Island, off the coast of California, the MDA statement reads.

"This test, designated SM-3 Block IIA Cooperative Development Controlled Test Vehicle-02, was a live fire of the SM-3 Block IIA. The missile successfully demonstrated flyout through kinetic warhead ejection. No intercept was planned, and no target missile was launched," according to the agency.   

In a separate statement, Raytheon said the next live-fire test of the SM-3 Block IIA in 2016 "is planned to include an intercept of a ballistic missile target."

On the same day, MDA announced it had awarded Raytheon a $543 million contract modification to manufacture, assemble, test, and deliver 17 SM-3 Block IIA missiles.