DATE=5/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249765
TITLE=MISSILE DEFENSE TEST FAILURE (S) (CQ)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE TROUBLED U-S MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM SUFFERED ANOTHER
DELAY (TUESDAY) WHEN A TARGET MISSILE WENT ASTRAY, FORCING
CANCELLATION OF A KEY TEST OF THE ARMY'S ANTI MISSILE SYSTEM.
CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR
PROGRAM HAS SEEN A STRING OF COSTLY AND EMBARRASSING FAILURES.
TEXT: THE TARGET MISSILE ROARED INTO THE SKY FROM WHITE SANDS
MISSILE RANGE IN NEW MEXICO AT DAWN, AND PROMPTLY WENT OFF
COURSE.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THAT FORCED SCIENTISTS TO MAKE A
SPLIT-SECOND DECISION NOT TO FIRE THE THEATER HIGH ALTITUDE AREA
DEFENSE MISSILE. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO TRACK, CATCH, AND DESTROY
THE TARGET.
THEATER DEFENSE MISSILES ARE DESIGNED TO DESTROY WEAPONS LAUNCHED
FROM 13-HUNDRED KILOMETERS AWAY, LIKE THOSE BEING DEVELOPED BY
IRAN, NORTH KOREA, AND PAKISTAN.
A CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITY SUPPORTS BUILDING U-S MISSILE DEFENSES
AS SOON AS THEY ARE TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE, BUT CRITICS SAY THAT
MAY BE A WHILE.
THE LATEST PROBLEM MAY BE ALL THE MORE FRUSTRATING TO PROGRAM
MANAGERS BECAUSE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
DEFENSE MISSILE, BUT WAS A FAILURE OF A USUALLY RELIABLE TEST
ROCKET.
SIX PRIOR TEST FAILURES HAVE BEEN BLAMED ON POOR MANUFACTURING OR
LAX SUPERVISION, LEADING THE GOVERNMENT TO FINE THE MANUFACTURER
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/RAE
25-May-99 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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