Don't Read Too Much Into the Successful Missile Test -

"US Missile Defense Still Has a Long Way to Go"

Brian Barrett, 27 May 2017

https://www.wired.com/2017/05/interceptor-missile-defense-test/

"The US Missile Defense Agency conducts the tests, and scripts the conditions carefully. “The defenders had significant information about the target ahead of time,” says Grego. “They know what it looks like, they know when it’s coming”—factors the Pentagon almost certainly won’t know if North Korea or anyone else lets one fly."

More .  .  . Know this, the test includes telling the interceptor exactly where the target is.

"So yes, the US missile interceptor system worked this time. But until it works every time, under real-world conditions, no one should read too much into a successful test. And even if the system achieves something approaching reliability, it’s important to consider the potential consequences. “You get the feeling that this is meant to reassure the US public and our allies that we’re doing something,” says Grego. “At the same time, if you’re overconfident about your system because you’re not clear-eyed about it, that can lead to riskier decision-making.”

Given the magnitude of those risks, it helps to see this test for what it is: a good step down a long, uncertain path."