A Lockheed Martin-led team has successfully launched a target missile as part of the US Army’s ATM-48 intercept test of its Patriot advanced capability-2 (PAC-2) air defence system.

The short-range, legacy target was launched from Fort Wingate, using the Hera target vehicle from Coleman Aerospace.

The launch marked the 33rd successful target mission Lockheed Martin has achieved out of 34 missions since 1996.

The project was been carried out under the Missile Defense Agency’s targets and countermeasures programme in cooperation with the air force.