news for today: japan, north korea, and aegis missile defense

while the U.S. government talked like this:
Pre-launch strike on N. Korea unlikely
"[The ballistic missile defense system] is a research development and testing capability that has some limited operational capability," Hadley [the president's national security adviser] said..."

defense contractor lockheed-martin was authorized to release the following press announcement:
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System Guides Missile to Seventh Successful Target Intercept
"...Both the Aegis BMD Weapon System aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and range sensors confirmed a direct hit of the missile target during its midcourse flight phase over the Pacific Ocean..."

notable in the press release is the following:
"...The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship JDS Kirishima (DDG 174), equipped with the Aegis Weapon System, tracked the ballistic missile target..."

only a fool would miss the message here. japan is already equipped with the a.m.d.s. and, according to this report, knows how to use it.


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