A Standard Missile 3 is launched from the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie. - Stock-Fotografie

Pacific Ocean, March 8, 2006 - A Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) during a Missile Defense Agency, and Japan Defense Agency cooperative flight test mission. The test entitled Joint Control Test Vehicle-1 (JCTV-1), demonstrated the performance of the SM-3 missile modified with the Japan-designed advanced nosecone and Aegis BMD Weapon System.