Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : New Army Rocket Again Fails Test

The newest Army rocket being developed to defend against medium-range missiles failed to hit its target in a test, the Pentagon said. It was the second failed attempt to demonstrate that the Theater High Altitude Area Defense missile can intercept a target in flight. The earlier attempt was Dec. 13. In the latest test, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the missile failed to carry out in-flight command and control orders, the Pentagon said. It flew past the target and was remotely detonated. The new defense system attempts to go beyond existing Army antimissile missiles, such as the Patriot, to defend a wider area against ballistic missile attack and to destroy incoming missiles earlier in their flight.