We show the performance of this algorithm on a realistic missile case.
The Bush administration has said that rather than destroying or dismantling all those weapons, it wants to keep many in what it calls a "responsive force," available to be returned to submarines, bombers or missiles in case of national emergencies.
"We are studying measures such as tracking and shooting down [parts] of a North Korean missile in case they stray out of their normal trajectory" and violate South Korean territory, said Yoon Won-shik, a spokesman at the South's defence ministry.
Its critics have always said that this country will be in greater danger in future from suitcase bombs or other terrorist devices than from missiles, and their case has now been devastatingly made.
One American adviser said the decision to use commandos and not long-range missiles in this case may reflect a shift by the Obama administration to go to greater lengths to avoid civilian deaths.
President Bush insists that the US needs missile defence in case terrorists or "rogue" states ever develop inter-continental ballistic missiles able to reach them.
As a result of successful implementation of this contract Boeing is responsible for production of about 35 percent of Arrow missile components, including the electronics section, booster motor case and missile canister, at its Huntsville, Alabama facilities.
The first attack failed because of radio problems, and in the second case, the missiles fell short of the base.
In one December 2009 case, US missiles carrying cluster bombs struck a rural community in the al Majalah region of southwestern Yemen, reportedly killing 41 people, including at least 21 children.
In some cases, unarmed missiles are dropped on a building – the so-called knock on roof – five minutes before the explosive charge is delivered.
