Vandenberg fires Minuteman test rocket

MCK2000011902 - 19 JANUARY 2000 - MECK ISLAND, MARSHALL ISLANDS, USA: .A payload launch vehicle carrying a prototype interceptor is launched from Meck Island in the Kwajalein Missile Range on Jan. 18, 2000, for a planned intercept of a ballistic missile target over the central Pacific Ocean. The target vehicle, a modified Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 6:19 p.m., PST, and the vehicle carrying the prototype interceptor was launched about 20 minutes later. The intercept was not achieved. The test was performed by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's National Missile Defense Joint Program Office. Defense and industry program officials will conduct an extensive review of the test results to determine the reason for not achieving an intercept. RW/DOD