Cutter Bertholf conducts decoy test

KAUAI, Hawaii, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard announced the successful launch of a missile decoy technology during a recent test at the Pacific Missile Range operational area.

The Coast Guard, along with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dalhgren Division and the Navy Research Lab, conducted the Decoy Launching System test with the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, the Coast Guard reported.

As part of the test, two MK-234 Nulka offboard countermeasure rounds were launched from the Bertholf, a 418-foot cutter. The Lockheed Martin-built MK-234 Nulka technology is designed to hover in air and attract incoming anti-ship missile threat.

According to a news release, the successfully completed missile test was the "first phase of their two-month national defense patrol."