The test, in which an Aegis ballistic missile cruiser shot down a target fired from Hawaii, was the first exo-atmospheric kinetic intercept of a ballistic missile in the ascent phase of flight, and the third intercept from an Aegis warship.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Sea change in missile defense

November 21, 2002 is likely to be remembered by the national security community not only as the day the U.S. Navy successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target in its "ascent" phase.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Get On With It: Time To Deploy Sea-Based Missile Defenses

Direct ascent interceptors such as exo-atmospheric ABM missiles, ballistic missiles with modified guidance logic, space boosters carrying nuclear payloads, and homing vehicles such as the miniature vehicle system undergoing development by the United States.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Straw in the solar wind