In the most realistic test yet, the THAAD defense system makes it a perfect five for five.
Yesterday off the coast of Hawaii, a mock warhead was successfully intercepted after it separated from its booster rocket.

For the first time in a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) test, the system engaged the target, virtually by itself. To increase the realism of the test, the soldiers operating the equipment were not even aware of the actual target launch time.

This test comes on the heels of an announcement that U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe could be delayed well beyond the 2013 target because Defense Department experts say the interceptors have not been adequately tested. Well guys, were working on it. THAAD has proved itself to be effective and can be tested further, but that doesn’t mean it has to be perfect before we move forward. Logic says that it’s better to have a system that works 29 out of 30 times (THAAD) than no system at all.

Accordingly, the MDA has used a spiral development approach—that is, testing and fielding activities will run concurrently, not sequentially, making the traditional acquisition approach inappropriate. The Heritage Foundation has argued that the traditional acquisition approach is unwise because the ballistic missile capabilities of countries like Iran continue to advance. Every day the fielding of missile defense is delayed is another day the U.S. and its allies remain vulnerable to attack from rogue states pursuing ballistic missile capability.