Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor missile has successfully completed its and first live intercept test on 3 February off the west coast of Hawaii. The missile was launched from the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), which detected and tracked the target missile with its onboard AN/SPY-1D(V) radar using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapon system. SM-3 Block IIA guided missile was jointly developed by Japan and the US. This test also marked the third flight test of the missile, and the first intercept engagement using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) weapon system.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)