U.S. missile defense test fails to intercept target over Pacific

A SM-3 Block IIA guided missile during its first live-fire test on June 6, 2015. (Credit: Missile Defense Agency)
A joint missile defense test conducted by the U.S. and Japan failed to intercept a targeted rocket over the Pacific on Wednesday, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said.
The failed attempt was the second intercept test of the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile, which is being developed by the U.S. and Japan to intercept medium- and intermediate-range ballistic rockets. T