NORFOLK – The USS Ramage can do a lot of things, but one particular capability could make it more popular than ever:

Ballistic missile defense.

In civilian-speak, the Ramage has missiles that can shoot down enemy missiles, and that makes it a prized asset for the U.S. military in today’s world.

The guided-missile destroyer left Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday for a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea.

It is a routine deployment, but recent developments have made life somewhat less routine.

In September, the U.S. canceled a ground-based missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic, preferring a sea-based missile defense to protect Israel and Europe from short-range missile threats.

Just this week, the Navy Times reported that demand for ballistic missile defense ships is expected to increase, partly because of rumblings from Iran.

The growing demand isn’t news to the Ramage’s skipper, Cmdr. Peter G. Galluch, who spoke with reporters before the ship left. He said the demand has been evident over the long term.

“I would say that we’re unique and getting less unique,” he said. “Last year when we deployed, we were the only ballistic missile defense ship on the East Coast.”

In this deployment, the Ramage will be joined by several more ships with the same capability.

“It’s a growing capability that the Navy has, to shoot down ballistic missiles in flight,” said Galluch. “It’s fast becoming a core mission of the Navy.”

The crew of the Ramage found out about its current deployment last year, so Tuesday’s departure was not in response to any immediate threat.

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South Korea’s Defense Ministry says North Korea has launched a series of missiles off its eastern coast, following similar tests earlier this week.

The missiles were fired over several hours beginning Saturday morning.

The Yonhap news agency quotes military officials as saying the missiles appeared to be a type of short-range Scud missile.

Video: North Korea launches four short-range missiles of its East Coast