Attempts by the US to protect itself from missile attack are beset by
problems. Last week, an interceptor fired from a US base on Kwajalein Atoll in
the Pacific missed a ballistic missile target launched from California. The
failure has been blamed on malfunctioning infrared sensors on board the
interceptor.
The interceptor is the cornerstone of the Pentagon鈥檚 National Missile Defense
system, which aims to block limited numbers of missiles launched by 鈥渞ogue
states鈥�. A further test is planned for April or May. If it fails, the $13
billion system will be in jeopardy.