This footage was filmed and produced 7 February 2024.

In a groundbreaking test conducted off the coast of Hawaii, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Navy achieved a significant milestone in missile defense technology.

Dubbed Flight Test Other-23 (FTX-23) or Stellar Sisyphus, the test consisted of two parts focusing on sensor tracking and communications link capabilities. The first phase successfully demonstrated the Aegis Weapon System's ability to track and discern a complex target scene involving a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target with countermeasures.

The second part of the test involved the firing of a Standard Missile – 3 Block IIA (SM-3 Blk IIA), which intercepted the same Medium Range Ballistic Missile target, showcasing further functionality of the SM-3 Blk IIA.

Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA Director, highlighted the importance of this successful test in enhancing the capabilities of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships against evolving threats. The collaborative efforts of the Navy, MDA team, and industry partners were instrumental in achieving this feat.

U.S. Navy vessels including the USS McCampbell and USS Jack H. Lucas, along with Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and Advanced Radar Development Evaluation Laboratory, participated in the test, collecting vital tracking data on the target.

While the intercept of the target was not the primary objective of the test, the successful hit by the SM-3 Blk IIA and Aegis Weapon System demonstrated additional reserve capability. The data collected will play a crucial role in improving future tracking and discrimination capabilities.