02 December 2001

Ballistic Missile Defense Test Postponed

Poor weather conditions December 2 caused the second, one-day postponement of a U.S. ballistic missile defense test at a test range over the Pacific Ocean. The test has now been rescheduled for Monday, December 3.

Following is the text of a December 2 statement issued by the U.S. Department of Defense:

DoD News
United States Department of Defense
PRESS ADVISORY, December 2, 2001

MISSILE INTERCEPT TEST POSTPONED

The planned intercept of a long-range ballistic missile target scheduled for tonight [December 2] over the central Pacific Ocean has been postponed due to poor weather conditions at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., the site of the launch of the target missile for the interceptor.

The poor weather did not meet range safety requirements. The intercept test has been rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, with a launch window of 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. EST, contingent upon improvement of weather conditions.

The test is being conducted by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) in support of research and development efforts associated with the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Program, formerly known as National Missile Defense.

News media points of contact are Cheryl Irwin, OSD Public Affairs, at (703) 697-5331 or Lt. Col. Rick Lehner, BMDO External Affairs, at (703) 697-8997.