4th Test Missile Fails; Project May Be Iffy

An anti-missile missile being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. failed its fourth test flight in a row, clouding the future of the $17-billion program. The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, the military command conducting the test, said it hasn’t determined why the Theater High Altitude Area Defense missile failed to hit its target at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Test operators then blew up both missiles by remote control, said Lt. Col. Rick Lehner, a program spokesman. Three previous failures prompted concern about the program within the company and the Pentagon.