The new capability, made possible by software upgrades, gives operators a real-time choice between a two-stage or three-stage interceptor 

Boeing and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a test of an advanced interceptor for defense against long-range intercontinental ballistic missile threats. 

During the test, a ground-based interceptor (GBI) with a three-stage booster was launched into space. The system has the capability to release the exoatmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) earlier in the flight, providing the chance to intercept the threat. The new capability, made possible by software upgrades, gives operators a real-time choice between a two-stage or three-stage interceptor depending on the location of the threat, its speed, and the type of threat. 

Debbie Barnett, Boeing GMD vice president, and program director said the system is reliable and ready if called upon "to defend the nation." The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system is capable of engaging and destroying long-range ballistic missile threats from hostile states at any time. Boeing is leading the industry team for the engineering, development, and sustainment of the system.