HONOLULU — A weapon system test conducted by the U.S. Missile Defence Agency in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii failed to intercept the target Saturday.

According to an agency statement, the objective of the test was to demonstrate the capability of a ballistic missile defence-configured Aegis ship to detect, track, engage and intercept a medium range ballistic missile target with a salvo of two Standard Missile-6 Dual II missiles. However, an intercept was not achieved.

A U.S. Missile Defence Agency investigation into a failed ballistic missile intercept test showed that a mistaken input into the combat system input by a sailor on the destroyer John Paul Jones caused the missile to self-destruct before reaching the target.

Program officials say they have initiated a review to determine the cause of any problems which may have prevented a successful intercept and will analyse the results.

The test was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Navy.