US Raytheon Co missile interceptor test 'a success'

The interceptor was fired from the USS Lake Erie

US forces have destroyed a target missile in their first successful test of a new Raytheon Co interceptor.

The Standard Missile-3 interceptor has been designed to play a central role in an anti-missile shield which is being built in Central Europe.

The system is intended to <link> <caption>protect Nato allies </caption> <url href="http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49635.htm?selectedLocale=en" platform="highweb"/> </link> against attacks from Iran or North Korea.

The test missile was launched from Hawaii, and the interceptor was fired from the USS Lake Erie.

The <link> <caption>US Missile Defense Agency </caption> <url href="http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0007.html" platform="highweb"/> </link> issued a statement saying: "Initial indications are that all components performed as designed."

It explained that the interceptor has a two-colour infrared seeker to improve sensitivity for longer-range targets and high-speed processing capabilities.

Two more tests are scheduled to take place later this year.

The question of an anti-missile shield in Central Europe has caused tension with Russia, which fears the interceptors will be a threat to its security.