Defense

Pentagon to deploy more missile interceptors

The Pentagon announced Friday it will spend $1 billion to add 14 interceptors to a West Coast-based missile defense system, responding to what it called fast...

Federal News Radio Custom Media@WTOPWFEDcustom

March 18, 2013 10:44 am

< a min read

The Pentagon announced Friday it will spend $1 billion to add 14 interceptors to a West Coast-based missile defense system, responding to what it called faster-than- anticipated North Korean progress on nuclear weapons and missiles. In announcing the decision, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he is determined to ensure protection of the U.S. homeland and stay ahead of the North Korean missile threat. He acknowledged that the interceptors already in place to defend against potential North Korean missile launches have had poor test performances.