MANA — Yesterday’s Aegis test went off as planned, just as 11 others have this year at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. But there was one major difference about the destroyer that successfully shot down the medium-range, separating target. For
MANA — Yesterday’s Aegis test went off as planned, just as 11 others have this year at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. But there was one major difference about the destroyer that successfully shot down the medium-range, separating target.
For the first time in missile defense history, the ship conducting the test was not U.S. Navy. Instead, Japan’s JS Kongo took the lead — the only allied naval ship to intercept a ballistic missile target with the sea-based Aegis system.
“This was a monumental event in the Japan-U.S. security relationship,” said Senior Vice Minister for Defense Akinori Eto following the event, which was attended by about a dozen Japanese media members.
While the first time for the Japanese to fire the interceptor missile, the test marked the fourth time that the country participated in Aegis launches at PMRF.
“We consider this a major, major milestone and a major achievement,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director.
The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force has four Aegis-configured destroyers, three of which are being upgraded to ballistic missile defense capability.
The test
At 12:05 p.m., a target missile was launched from the missile range.
From a distance of about two miles away, observers witnessed a bright flash of light shooting upward into the sky, followed by a trail of smoke and a wave of noise. The target’s trajectory continued upward with a slight lean until it was out of sight.
Approximately four minutes later, the Kongo launched a Standard Missile-3 interceptor from sea. The target was destroyed in the collision shortly after.
This was not visible from the missile range, however, as the intercept occurred in the mid-course phase of flight, hundreds of miles from PMRF.
Yesterday’s test, while successful, did not go off without a hitch. There were two delays, one of which was called around 11:15 a.m., within mere minutes of the target launch.
Significance
Japan’s interest in missile defense dates back 15 years, when it first commissioned an Aegis warship. In 2003, Japan decided to upgrade its capabilities, in part because of the missile launched from North Korea in 1998.
“Today’s test further proves that the evolving Japan-U.S. alliance is the indispensable foundation of not only Japan’s security, but also for the maintenance of peace and security in the Far East,” Eto said.
When asked about the associated costs of equipping ships with Aegis capabilities, Obering said the damages caused by missile attacks or weapons of mass destruction is beyond compare. He contrasted the $83 billion in damages from the 9/11 attacks or trillions that a WMD attack could cause to the $100 billion spent on missile defense since 1983.
“It’s a great investment, an insurance policy,” Obering said. “Why invest in a missile that we can destroy?”
According to Obering, more than 12 nations are in varying stage of collaboration with the United States on missile defense. Spain and the Netherlands have observed Aegis tests at PMRF, and Australia is in talks.
According to Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance President Riki Ellison, Aegis appeals to smaller countries because it can be done in small increments. Ellison said the $500 million it takes to outfit a single ship with Aegis is a “very good price” for the defense it offers.
Kaua‘i’s role
The economic impact of missile defense testing at PMRF is about $135 million annually, which is shared with the civilian economy. Each test brings an average of 500 people to Kaua‘i, many of whom stay in hotels, shop in stores and eat in restaurants here.
According to base Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Cudnohufsky, the number of tests scheduled for next year represents a slight reduction due to budgetary constraints. In 2007, the facility was operating at or near capacity, he said.
For 2008, Congress expanded the Missile Defense Agency budget to $10 billion. Due to Kaua‘i’s isolated location and data collection opportunities, the island continues to play a prominent role in missile defense.
“Not only is the range a national asset for the U.S., but because of the flexibility … to collect data, it’s an asset for our allies,” said Rear Adm. Brad Hicks, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System program director with the Missile Defense Agency.
• Blake Jones, business writer/assistant editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or bjones@kauaipubco.com.
