Pentagon: Test Successful, Mock Warhead Over Pacific Shot Down

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) —  The Latest on the U.S. missile defense test at Vandenberg Air Force Base:

2:01 p.m.

The Pentagon says it has shot down a mock warhead over the Pacific in a success for America's missile defense program.

The test was the first of its kind in nearly three years. And it was the first test ever targeting an intercontinental-range missile like North Korea is developing.

The military says an interceptor rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California slammed into the warhead as it traveled outside the Earth's atmosphere after being launched from a test range on a Pacific atoll.

10:15 a.m.

Vandenberg Air Force Base in Central California is set to launch a missile Tuesday afternoon designed to shoot down an incoming warhead.

A Ground-based Interceptor, which is scheduled to be launched between noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday, is part of a missile defense test, according to the Air Force base.

Vandenberg said the missile will attempt to fly over the Pacific Ocean and intercept some sort of 'target object' being launched from the central Pacific Ocean. While the launch can be seen from Los Angeles, enthusiasts likely will not be able to see when the missile and the target collide.

Tuesday's test is in response to a growing threat from North Korea, which recently launched its third missile test in three weeks.