The Pentagon will attempt to shoot down an intercontinental-range missile for the first time in a test next week in response to the growing nuclear and missile threat from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 

Officials said the purpose of the test is to simulate an ICBM attack on the US. 

Officials said the interceptor will be launched from an underground silo at Vanderberg Air Force Base in California. The target missile will be fired from a test site in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific region.

The interceptor test will be deemed a success if the "kill vehicle" missile hits the ICBM target's mock warhead above the Pacific Ocean.