[Alberta's Child]

The story as I understand it is that the missile test involved an advanced missile that was designed to track down its target using the target aircraft's radio transmissions, not its heat signature. This would explain why it's actually necessary to test the effectiveness of the weapon close to a major metropolitan area where there is a lot of background "radio noise" that would have to be overcome in order for the weapon to work effectively.

[Lower Deck]

The story as I understand it is that the missile test involved an advanced missile that was designed to track down its target using the target aircraft's radio transmissions, not its heat signature. This would explain why it's actually necessary to test the effectiveness of the weapon close to a major metropolitan area where there is a lot of background "radio noise" that would have to be overcome in order for the weapon to work effectively.

Such a missile would be worthless, being easily defeated by merely turning off your radio. And even if one existed it would be far easier, far safer, and far more secure from a secrecy standpoint to simulate radio traffic on a military range. Easily done electronically.