The United States‘ Missile Defense Agency is accelerating the development of an interceptor designed to counter several incoming warheads or decoys simultaneously. The most recent Department of Defense budget request seeks $259 million for the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program for technology risk reduction and product development and speeds up its projected completion by five years.

While U.S. defense officials did not provide a specific reason behind the acceleration, experts point to recent North Korean missile tests as a potential catalyst. Analysts believe that should Pyongyang develop an ICBM capable of hitting the United States, the missile may include decoys to lure defenses away from the actual warhead.