The Pentagon has successfully shot down a ballistic missile, using its modernized long-range missile interceptor that was widely seen as a test of the ability of the US to counter the launch of North Korean missiles.

According to the U.S. defense Department, the Agency for anti-ballistic missile ground launched interceptor air force base Vandenberg in California, to intercept the running in the USA dummy ICBM in the Pacific. According to the missile defense Agency, an interceptor "destroyed the target in a direct collision".

"Interception difficult, threatening the reputation of the target ICBM is an incredible achievement and important milestone for this program," said Vice-Admiral MDA Jim Spier. "This system is vital to the defense of our homeland, and this test shows that we have capable, reliable deterrent against real threats," he said.

Although the Pentagon has described this test is successful, some experts have warned that the missile defense system worth $40 billion is still a long way to go before it can be considered fully developed.

Washington representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat of the armed services Committee of the House, congratulated the Agency on missile defense with the successful trial, but warned that "much work remains to provide a reliable and efficient system."

Test passed in 2 days after Pyongyang fired a missile with a small range, which flew estimated at 248 miles, shipwrecked in the economic zone of Japan.

The Pentagon insists that the long-planned test of a ground-based system of interceptors applies not only to North Korea, and the test aims to challenge any hostile ICBMs, including possibly Iran in the future.
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents