The US has successfully tested a long-range weapon designed to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) for the first time, the military reports.

The interceptor missile – frequently described as a “high-speed effort to hit a bullet with another bullet” – was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It met an ICBM fired by the US from the Marshall Islands somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

"The intercept of a complex, threat-representative ICBM target is an incredible accomplishment...a critical milestone for this program," said Vice Admiral Jim Syring, the director of the Missile Defence Agency.

Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters this test would be used to evaluate the system's performance against ICBMs. The military has been testing the interceptor system since 1999, but this is the first time it was tested on an intercontinental missile.

The interceptors are tested every two years, but the Department of Defence says only half of the tests have been successful. The last successful test was carried out in June 2014 – the first success since 2008.

A recent Department of Defence report actually criticised tests of the interceptor, saying they "demonstrate a limited capability to defend the US homeland”.

The US currently possesses only a single long-range, ground-based interceptor.

Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Show all 11 1 /11 Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The North Korean leader inspects a missile launch from a safe distance Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un discusses plans with military leaders Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch A ballistic rocket of the type launched by the DPRK in defiance of UN sanctions Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch UN officials tracked two ballistic missile launches from North Korea on Friday 18 March Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader laughed with officials as the missiles were fired Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un was also pictured observing military exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Tanks fire missiles during military manoeuvres at an undisclosed location Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The exercises are timed to coincide with military drills by the US and South Korea Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch As well as a tank-driving competition, amphibious craft carried out landing and anti-landing exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Including paramilitary reserves, the North Korean army is the largest in the world Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader appeared pleased with the show of force

The recent test comes just days after North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile, which flew about 280 miles and landed in the Sea of Japan.

A US official told ABC that this test had been planned for years, and was not a response to North Korea’s actions.

The Pentagon has previously denied that the interceptor programme is intended for North Korean threats exclusively. Defence Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart, however, delivered a stern warning about the country’s capabilities to a Senate hearing last week.

"If left on its current trajectory the regime will ultimately succeed in fielding a nuclear-armed missile capable of threatening the United States homeland," Lieutenant General Stewart said.

The director said it is “nearly impossible” to predict when North Korea’s ICBMs will be operational, but other experts have set that date at around 2025.