In an August 27 news release, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of 73 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptors to Japan. Co-developed by U.S. and Japanese contractors, the Block IIA is an extended-range variant of the SM-3 fitted with a 21-inch booster and upgraded kill vehicle. The deal is estimated to cost $3.295 billion.

