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'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE TEST SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT
The Defense Department is preparing for a first test of the interceptor warhead of the
planned National Missile Defense system.
With the fiery liftoff of a missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Saturday night, the
nation's missile defense program may take a large step toward becoming reality.
Exact details of the planned launch are classified, but it will occur between 7 and 11
p.m. PST, it has been learned.
It will be the first test flight on hardware that could begin shielding the continental
United States from a missile attack by 2005. The Defense Department is examining whether a
141-pound "kill vehicle'' can locate and smash a "warhead" at a collision speed of 17,000
miles per hour.
The White House will decide next summer whether to deploy an initial defensive system with
20 missiles at a site in Alaska.
That decision will be based on three test shots, two of which must be successful.
The LOS ANGELES TIMES is reporting in fresh editions: "In Saturday's test, an
intercontinental Minuteman missile will be shot out sea from Vandenberg, north of Santa
Barbara, carrying a dummy warhead. About 20 minutes after the launch, an interceptor
missile will be launched from the Marshall Islands 4,300 miles from Vandenberg. If all
goes as authorities hope, the interceptor will strike the dummy warhead over the Pacific."
Developing...
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