Officials say the US has for the first time successfully tested its missile defense system against an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
A ground-based interceptor was launched from a California air base and shot down a mock ballistic missile. This test comes as tensions are increasing with North Korea where Pyongyang has fired its ninth missile so far this year.
The interceptor, which was launched from Vandenberg Air Force, collided with a simulated ICBM launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands over the Pacific Ocean.