U.S.-Japan interceptor flawed by poor range

[The Straight Story]

U.S.-Japan interceptor flawed by poor range
Kyodo News

A next-generation missile interceptor being jointly developed by Japan and the United States would not be able to take out U.S.-bound North Korean long-range ballistic missiles flying over Japan, according to senior Defense Ministry officials.

This is because the range of the interceptor, dubbed the Standard Missile 3 Block 2A, would not allow an Aegis-equipped ship off Japan to target high-flying missiles, the officials said.

The finding could affect debate in Japan over whether to exercise right of collective self-defense to shoot down U.S.-bound missiles flying over this country.

With an estimated range of 200 to 300 km, the SM-3 is unable to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. But some military analysts had argued that the SM-3 Block 2A can get the job done, although its range has not been made public.

The SM-3 Block 2A, which the United States plans to begin deploying in 2018, is an advanced version of the SM-3 with a longer range and greater accuracy.

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