THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997            TAG: 9701250299
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 
                                            LENGTH:   18 lines

NAVY'S MISSILE TEST IS ON TARGET

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Navy took an important step in defending its ships and U.S.

forces ashore on Friday when a modified Navy Standard missile

blasted an incoming ``attack'' missile. The successful test of the

missile, essentially the same missile the Navy uses aboard ships

with its AEGIS combat system, was at the White Sands Missile Range

in New Mexico. The modified missile has new infrared sensors that

let it track and intercept ballistic missiles. Above, the Standard

missile leaves its canister. Story, A3.