1.
AERIAL VIEW USS Norton Sound off Southern Californian coast.
0.05

2.
GV Norton Sound at sea.
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3.
SV officers and men on bridge (2 shots)
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4.
LA Radar system
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5.
CU PAN INTERIOR Man operating missile control
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SV Missile swivels on deck and shoots into sky.
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SHIP TO AIR shot missile hits target
0.46

8.
GV Missile shoots into sky and hits target (2 shots)
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Initials RH/1620 RH/DE/JB/1636



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A totally computerized defensive missile system underwent extensive testing off the Californian coast in an exercise involving the United States Department of Defence.

The system called Aegis is a new development to the missile system which has been operating in the fleet for the past 20 years.

An engineering development model was tested abroad the USS Norton Sound while the ship was participating in a five-nation fleet exercise. During the exercise, the system, using the operational Standard missile, successfully detected, tracked and engaged every airborne target launched against the fleet, with either live or simulated missiles.

The department says the system will defend the fleet against sophisticated airborne threats and advances in electronic war fare techniques in the 1980s and beyond.

The system is particularly effective in adverse conditions against attacks of low-altitude, high speed missiles and aircraft. It features a fast reaction time, and rapid firepower.

The key component of AEGIS consists of a guidance illuminator radar, missile launchers and missiles. The system is controlled through a series of computers.

The Navy plans to install the system in two new classes of ship, DDG-47 class destroyers and CSGN class nuclear-strike cruisers.

SYNOPSIS: The USS Norton Sound, during exercises off the Californian coast in the United States. The ship was carrying out important tests on a totally computerized defensive missile system in an exercise involving the United States Defence department.

The missile system, called AEGIS, is an advancement on the missile system which has been operating in the navy for the pat 20 years. The defence department says it will defend he fleet against sophisticated airborne threats and advances in electronic war fare techniques into the 1980s and beyond.

The Navy intends installing the system in two new classes of ship, DDG-47 class destroyers-- and CSGN class nuclear strike cruisers. The system is particularly effective in adverse conditions, against attacks of low altitude, high-speed missiles and aircraft.