The U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully test-fired a THAAD

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully test-fired a THAAD

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE — The U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully test-fired a THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense — missile over White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces before dawn Wednesday.

Defense officials said the missile intercepted a Hera target rocket, launched from Central New Mexico, about 5:30 a.m. The test firing was the third in a series of five aimed to test the defense system in preparation for deployment within the next couple of years.

The test was visible throughout the region as brightly colored contrails followed in the missile's path and a white cloud appeared when the test missile was destroyed.

For complete coverage of the test, read Thursday's Las Cruces Sun-News or click on-line at www.lcsun-news.com.