A Japanese navy ship has intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile in a test off Hawai'i.

The U.S. military fired the test's target yesterday from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua'i.

The JS Myoko detected the target, tracked it and then fired an SM-3 interceptor missile from its deck. The interceptor hit the target in space above the Pacific Ocean. The Myoko is the third of four Japanese ships to be upgraded with ballistic missile defense technology.

The second, the JS Chokai, participated in a test off Hawai'i last November, but its interceptor failed to shoot down the target.