LOS ANGELES -- The United States launched a missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Central California Tuesday afternoon in a test meant to intercept an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) over the Pacific.

According to report of ABC, the US fired the ballistic missile with a mock warhead from Marshall Island, located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, then launched an interceptor from Vandenberg Base, 250 kilometers northwest to Los Angeles.

The last time the US launched an intercept test was in June 2014 and it was successful.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis was quoted as saying that US military could improve and learn from each test.

"The system that we test today is a developmental system that's being flown for the first time," he told ABC before the test. "We look forward to understanding the results so we continue to mature the system and stay ahead of the threat."