On June 23, 2025, Northrop Grumman of the United States successfully carried out the air-launch of a threat-representative ballistic missile target as part of a critical non-intercept operational flight test for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Long Range Discrimination Radar program, as reported by Northrop Grumman on June 25, 2025. Conducted from a C-17 transport aircraft, the missile was dropped mid-air before ignition and completed its mission as intended, showcasing a major step forward in the flexibility and realism of missile defense testing. Designed to simulate real-world threats, this test confirms the strategic relevance of air-launched ballistic targets in preparing the U.S. and its allies against advanced missile challenges. Read Full Defense News At this link.
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| The successful execution of this air-launched test by Northrop Grumman marks a significant milestone in the evolution of U.S. missile defense capability (Picture source: Northrop Grumman) |