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Newsweek Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force is scheduled to test its PAC3 missile interceptors on Thursday following a series of missile tests by North Korea.
The defense force will test the PAC3, which is designed to shoot down missiles, including any fired at Japan from North Korea, at four bases in Tokyo. PAC3 stands for Patriotic Advanced Capability, and is built by Lockheed Martin. The weapons manufacturer describes it as a “hit-to-kill” missile, and says it “defeats the entire threat: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles and aircraft.”
The missiles are part of the U.S. made Patriot missile system and the launch crew helps to protect Tokyo’s metropolitan airspace. The team that launch the system would have very little time to prepare in the event of an enemy strike, the airmen told Stars and Stripes. “I’m always on alert. Even when I go home I’m gathering information. I’m always ready,” Chief Master Sgt. Yoichi Yokoyama, 45, one of four airmen crewing the PAC3 launcher said.
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http://www.newsweek.com/japan-war-north-korea-drill-missiles-kill-627528