HAWAII - A missile test on Kauai today!!!!!!!!!!!

North Korea is defying international opinion as it prepares to launch a long range missile. Meanwhile, another missile test will take place Wednesday at Barking Sands, Kauai.

The target missile will be launched from barking sands - it will be tracked by a U.S. navy cruiser offshore using the aegis ballistic missile defense system.

"The test [on Wednesday] will be the eighth attempt to intercept a ballistic missile in the mid-range, mid-course phase of flight by the sea-based capability that we're developing," says Chris Taylor missile defense spokesman.

Six of the seven intercept tests have been successful. Wednesday's test of the missile defense system is coincidental with events going on in North Korea. In fact, Taylor says, depending on the U.S. reaction, a response would actually come from somewhere else besides the pacific command.

"If North Korea launched the missile that they've been fueling - that's an intercontinental ballistic missile - and there are other elements, if the United States chose to do anything about that, there are other elements in place to go after it," says Taylor.

There are basically three phases to defending against missiles - Taylor compared it to a football team defense. Linemen or the first phase of defense, would try to stop the missile before or soon after it's launched. The test that takes place Wednesday determines the capability of the aegis system, intercepting the missile in mid-flight. Taylor compares that to the linebackers.

"Another element that's under development called thad, terminal high altitude and that would kind of bridge that gap between the linebacker and the cornerback and that testing will be done at barking sands," says Taylor.

Along with American naval ships taking part in the exercise, a japanese destroyer will also be cooperating in the missile defense test.
[link to khon.com]