USS Ross intercepts ballistic missile during coalition test

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross successfully intercepted a ballistic missile during a defense exercise in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The coalition exercise marked the first time a Standard Missile-3 was fired outside of a U.S. range, and also the first time a ballistic missile was intercepted in the European theater. The At Sea Demonstration, known as ASD-15, was organized by the Maritime Theater Missile Defense Forum, which serves as a cooperative body for navies to develop and improve sea-based missile defense strategies.

"ASD-15 shows that with communication, collaboration and commitment nations can come together and flawlessly defend against a complex threat scenario," said U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. James Foggo in a statement.

During the event, a short-range Terrier ballistic missile was launched from the Herbrides Range along with two anti-ship cruise missiles. Ross intercepted the ballistic missile by firing the SM-3. This also marked the first time an SM-2 was fired on the Herbrides Range.

Eight nations provided ships and aircraft for the event, including France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.