The US Navy’s sea-based ballistic missile defence system (BMDS) has failed to hit its target during a test over the Pacific Ocean.

Launched from the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) cruiser, the Standard missile 3 (SM-3) block 1B interceptor missile failed to intercept a short-range ballistic missile target.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said the test was the first flight of the advanced SM-3 block 1B interceptor missile.

“Programme officials will conduct an extensive investigation to determine the cause of the failure to intercept,” MDA added.

Since 2002, the MDA has conducted 22 successful intercepts in 27 at-sea test launches of interceptor missiles as part of the Aegis BMDS flight testing programme.