Pentagon Says Interceptor Missile Test Successful

The U.S. Defense Department's Missile Defense Agency says a new interceptor missile has successfully completed a test against an incoming medium-range ballistic missile.

The agency said the new interceptor downed a mock warhead after it separated from the booster section of a ballistic missile near Hawaii.

The interceptor is built by the U.S. industrial firm and defense contractor Raytheon, which also makes the Patriot missile defense system.

U.S. officials say the new interceptor missile is being designed to thwart the missile capabilities of countries hostile to the U.S. such as North Korea and Iran.

With reporting by Reuters