SM-3 missile shoots down missile over Pacific - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

SM-3 missile shoots down missile over Pacific

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By WAFF.com Staff - email
Randy Stevenson is Director of Raytheon Weapons Integration. Randy Stevenson is Director of Raytheon Weapons Integration.
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -

Huntsville missile maker, Raytheon, is cheering over a new test that shot down a ballistic missile over the Pacific.

A Raytheon SM-3 missile was launched from a navy ship Wednesday morning and successfully took out another rocket.

This particular test stood out because the ship could not detect the incoming rocket yet and sent the missile up entirely using information sent from a tracking satellite.

Raytheon leaders said 130 SM-3s are already out in use by U.S. and Japanese forces and have become important in an unstable world.

"The advancements in offensive capabilities on the part of many of the enemies of our country is significant, and we are keeping pace to make sure that we have our people, our interests worldwide protected," said Randy Stevenson, Director of Raytheon Weapons Integration.

The SM-3 will soon be a Huntsville creation.

Starting in the spring, Raytheon plans to build the missiles entirely in its new factory on Redstone Arsenal.

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