The US successfully intercepted a ballistic missile in a key test.

The US successfully conducted a test of its missile defense system in which a ballistic missile was intercepted near the island of Guam.

This test confirmed the effectiveness of the new Aegis Guam System, which has been integrated with the AN/TPY-6 radar and vertical launch system. A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA was used, which destroyed the ballistic missile at medium ranges.

"This is a significant collective victory," said Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency.

The island of Guam holds strategic military significance and is located in the Pacific Ocean, closer to China than to Hawaii.

The Missile Defense Agency plans to use the data obtained to improve the concepts and requirements for the future Guam Defense System (GDS).