Huntsville-made Standard Missile-3 Block IB deployed for the first time aboard Navy ship

Alabama-made Standard-Missile 3 deployed for first time on Navy ship

"..."The SM-3 Block IB's completion of initial operational testing last year set the stage for a rapid deployment to theater," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "The SM-3's highly successful test performance gives combatant commanders around the world the confidence they need to counter the growing ballistic missile threat." ..."

Reference: www.al.com .

Two more Aegis-equipped ballistic-missile defense ships headed to Japan by 2017

Hagel: U.S. to Send 2 More Aegis Ships to Japan

"...For reasons a senior defense official said included North Korean provocations, treaty commitments to Japan and U.S. national security interests, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today that the United States will send Japan two more Aegis-equipped ballistic-missile defense ships by 2017...."

Reference: www.defense.gov .

Next intercept test in June

U.S. aims to correct issue behind 2013 failed missile defense test

"...The failed intercept last July involved the earlier version of the Raytheon kill vehicle, which failed to separate from the third stage of the booster rocket. Eventually both versions will be replaced by the new kill vehicle..."

Reference: www.reuters.com .