The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said Thursday in a statement that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile-defense system successfully intercepted a flight-test target Wednesday at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The United States claimed that it has, for the third time, successfully tested a weapon system designed to shoot down enemy missiles as they approach their targets.

The THAAD "kill vehicle" picked off the Hera tactical ballistic missile target in the third successful test since last fall, the statement said.

"The entire THAAD team has been focused on proving THAAD's ability to detect, track and engage a live target," said Tom McGrath, the THAAD program manager.

"We are very pleased to have achieved this objective in the test and are eager to move forward with more testing," he said.

THAAD is designed as an anti-missile defensive measure for troop concentrations, cities and critical infrastructure against short-and-intermediate range ballistic missiles.

Its high-altitude capabilities are designed to complement the lower-altitude mission of the Patriot anti-missile system.

Analysts said the THAAD's ability to operate at the upper ends of the atmosphere means it can accept instructions from satellites and Aegis ships, and eases the burden on the Patriot.

Two more THAAD flight tests are scheduled at White Sands before the program shifts to the Pacific Missile Range in Hawaii.

Source: Xinhua