US Navy Successfully Intercepts Medium-Range Ballistic Missile in Test

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, successfully conducted Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1a (FTM-31 E1a).

USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Hall)

The test aimed to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense ship to detect, track, engage, and intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target.

The USS Daniel Inouye fired two SM-6 Dual II missiles to successfully intercept the target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill congratulated the entire test team, including sailors and industry partners, for achieving this milestone in an operationally realistic scenario.

  • The US Navy successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile in a test on March 30, 2023.
  • The test was conducted in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency and aimed to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defense ship to detect, track, engage, and intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target.
  • The USS Daniel Inouye fired two SM-6 Dual II missiles to successfully intercept the target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.
  • The successful interception was described as “an incredible accomplishment” and “a key milestone” by the Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill.
  • The test team, including sailors and industry partners, were congratulated for achieving this milestone in an operationally realistic scenario.

About USS Daniel Inouye

The USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) is named in honor of Daniel Inouye, who served as a United States Senator for Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012.

USS Daniel Inouye is a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are multi-mission ships able to hold targets on land, at sea, in the air, and under water at risk with a suite of sophisticated weapons and sensors.

Senator Inouye received the Medal of Honor on June 21, 2000 for his extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in Italy during World War II.

“Following delivery to the Navy in March 2021, the entire team has continued to prepare DDG 118 for this important readiness milestone,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 program manager, Arleigh Burke-class program office, Program Executive Office, Ships. “The fleet will soon be receiving an advanced warship capable of performing the core roles of sea control and power projection.”