Blog

 
The Missile Defense Agency awarded MircoTech a contract extension of over $25 million to continue operating and maintaining telecommunications support services.

MicroTech president and chief executive officer Tony Jimenez said, “We are honored that Missile Defense Agency has selected MicroTech to support Missile Defense Agency’s objective of building the largest and most advanced classified video teleconferencing network in Defense Department.” (Source)

The U.S. Navy awarded defense contractor Raytheon a $9.9 million contract to perform concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar. (Source)

Robert Martin of Raytheon said, “We will leverage our experience and expertise with our scalable family of naval radars as a distinct advantage in helping the Navy to develop this next-generation radar. The envisioned commonality and scalability for the AMDR will help reduce costs across the fleet while its advanced capabilities will provide no doubt-reliability and effectiveness for naval forces around the world — today and tomorrow.”

The radar suite will include S-band radar, X-band radar, and a suite controller. Read more about the radar system in the press release.

 
Earlier this month, Missile Defense Agency director Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly said the Obama administration was considering alternatives to missile defense shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. Last week, another senior Defense Department official echoed the claim.

Assistant Secretary of Defense Alexander Vershbow said, “The site in Poland and the radar in the Czech Republic are among the options that are being considered, together with other options that might be able to perform the mission as well.” (Source)

Russia opposes the bases, claiming they would be a threat to its national security, while we maintain the purpose of the bases is to protect the region from Iranian missile attacks. President Barack Obama has been ambivalent about the agreements, made while George Bush was still in office. The agreements have not been ratified by either country’s parliament.

The Senate recently passed a resolution supporting our agreements with Poland and the Czech Republic to build missile defense shields in those countries. The fate of the plans remains unknown as Obama attempts to “reset” relations with the former Soviet Union. We’ve already seen where his priorities lay. With a proposed missile defense budget cut of $1.4 billion, the planned bases are moving down the priority list, while “resetting” relations with Russia claims the top spot.

(Source: Photo source: AP/Alik Keplicz)

 
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is studying a new missile defense system with the capacity to launch the SM-3, an anti-ballistic missile system deployed on the Aegis-equipped destroyer. (Source)

In case of an attack, and the SM-3 (500-kilometer radius) fails to shoot down missiles in the air, PAC-3 (10 kilometer-radius) can serve as a back-up to intercept missiles before they hit the ground. An excerpt:

“[I]n an effort to make better use of SM-3s, the new system being considered would allow missiles to be launched from both the ground and the sea at the initial intercept stage, sources said…The MDA has recently developed technology that would allow a system that combines antiballistic missiles such as SM-3s with various radar networks used in other systems.”

>> This weekend the New York Times published a story that highlighted opposing reactions to North Korea’s recent rocket launch. While some considered the launch a failure because the rocket didn’t reach its target, others see the bigger picture: North Korea’s willingness to continue developing and testing its ballistic missile capability.

Missile defense naysayer Philip E. Coyle III said, “The advocates [of missile defense] want to scare people, so they hype the threat.”

Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance president Riki Ellison said, “North Korea has successfully tested a long-range ballistic missile. This success coupled with the North Korean nuclear weapons makes North Korea a nuclear threat.” (NYT)

>> The Missile Defense Agency announced that the Airborne Laser (ABL) prototype aircraft achieved flight certification last week as it returned to Edwards Air Force Base. Called a critical milestone, the ABL integrated aboard a 747 aircraft will provide “speed of light capability” against missiles in the boost phase and other missions. (MDA)

>> RIA Novosti reports that Turkey, a member of NATO, wants to buy S-400 Triumf air defense systems from Russia. An unnamed source implied such a sale would be complicated. NATO and Russia don’t see eye-to-eye on U.S. plans to build missile defense shields in Poland and the Czech Republic.

“We have explained to Turkish officials that S-400 is not just a simple air defense system but an element of strategic missile defenses, which can be placed in one country but protect the airspace over a number of neighboring countries,” he said. (RIA Novosti)

>> Israel has agreed to supply India with missile defense technology in an effort to boost strategic ties between the two countries. Both countries face missile threats from Muslim countries. India will receive Barak ground-to-air missiles from Israel. (ISN)

>> Our country’s ballistic missile defense system testing would be affected if the Obama administration reduces funding in the defense budget. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) may face cuts as high as $2 billion, which would reduce testing of the MDA’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense element.

According to Aviation Week, President Barack Obama said his staff found $40 billion in long-term Department of Defense savings. The MDA spent $56 billion on ballistic missile defense for the past seven years and is expected to spend $50 billion through 2013. (Source)

>> Last week, Israel successfully tested the Iron Dome, an anti-rocket shield. The system is designed to defend Israel from Hamas and Hizbullah rockets and also serves as a major component in a multi-layered missile defense system that includes the Arrow anti-ballistic missile shield. (Source)

>> The North Atlantic Treaty Organization turned 60. NATO was founded after WWII in 1949 as a collective defense organization. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, NATO comprises 26 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. (Source)

 
In what’s shaping up to be a pivotal week in missile defense, we offer the following news:

>> The Associated Press reports that Russia signed a contract to sell S-300 missiles to rogue state Iran, missiles that have yet to be delivered. Iran has not been shy about its intention to develop long-range ballistic missiles with nuclear capabilities, but our president believes he can renege on deals with Poland and the Czech Republic in exchange for Russia helping to contain Iran. How exactly will Russia accomplish this task when its willing to sell missiles to Iran?

>> Speaking of the Czech Republic, Reuters reports that the government “temporarily pulled back” from parliament agreements between the Czechs and the U.S. to install missile defense radar. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said, “This does not mean we would give up on the ratification process. We will return to this issue after talks with the U.S. administration and after the NATO summit in Strasbourg and Kehl.”

>> With Russia set to sell more missiles to Iran, it’s no surprise that Israel may use ballistic missiles against the rogue state’s nuclear facilities. Israel may have Jericho missiles capable of reaching Iran. (Source)

>> The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) reports that the U.S. shot down a medium-range ballistic missile during a test in Hawaii, the first time our military fired two missile interceptors at one target. MDA spokesman Rick Lehner said, “Any time you’re in a combat situation, more than likely you will launch more than one interceptor in case one fails.” (Source)

>> President Barack Obama is set to announce the appointment of Representative Ellen Tauscher (pictured above) to the post of Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Tauscher, who has experience in military matters, is chair of the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on strategic forces. (Source)

 Representative Michael Turner, a Republican Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, spoke about the subcommittee’s upcoming hearing on missile defense testing. An excerpt:

“As we begin our discussion on missile defense testing, we should start by establishing a baseline of where we are today. The missile defense capability our nation has fielded today consists of—26 ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California, 18 Aegis missile defense ships, 13 Patriot battalions, 5 radar tracking systems, and command and control systems.

“As I have learned from intelligence analysts at NASIC, in my home district, the threat doesn’t wait for us to perfect our defenses. If, for example, North Korea were to launch a long-range Taepo-Dong missile tomorrow, we could use this system to protect the American people, our forces abroad, and allies. As Secretary Gates recently suggested, the Pentagon was prepared to use its missile defense capabilities to bring down a North Korean missile if necessary.

“Having this missile defense capability today as an option is the direct result of U.S. leadership, and the hard work and dedication of a strong government and industry team.

“Both the Chairman and I agree that our missile defense assets must be effective and credible. I was particularly interested in Mr. Mitchell’s written statement that, “our nation’s ballistic missile defense capability cannot be disregarded today and will provide an even more effective defense in the future.” Therefore, continued testing to increase the effectiveness, credibility, and flexibility of an already deployed system against evolving threats is a commitment we all make.

“A common misconception about missile defense is that the technology doesn’t work and tests are not realistic. A good starting point for us here today is to better understand the progress made to-date. What is the state of our missile defense capabilities? As I understand it, the Missile Defense Agency is reviewing their test plans and there is good alignment between them and the test community in this process. I am interested in hearing more about what our test objectives are, how assessments are made, where gaps and shortfalls exist, and how the rebaselined test program should address these.”

 
Earlier this week, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced that it successfully completed the Flight Support Ground Test 03b (GTF-03b) to provide data to improve Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) modeling and simulations.

The test took place at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the week of December 8-12. From the press release:

“The test used the MDA Missile Defense System Exerciser (MDSE) to connect and control BMDS Hardware-in the-Loop (HWIL) Laboratories located across the United States to emulate the functionality resident in BMDS systems that participated in FTX-03…The GTF-03b showed provided a demonstration of the ability to conduct a System-level Post-flight Test Reconstruction and collect the required information to provide data comparison of the simulation performance with the performance of the system interactions of FTX-03 components under test.”

The MDA conducts ground tests to develop new missile defense technologies.

The Washington Post reports that the U.S. successfully shot down a missile during a simulated attack by potential enemies like North Korea and Iran. Last Friday, the U.S. military launched a missile from Kodiak Island in Alaska. The missile was tracked and intercepted by a kill vehicle 25 minutes after launch.

The Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly said, “It was the largest, most complex test we have ever done…The key to our protection…is to be able to have all of these different sensors simultaneously tracking” the missile.

The successful shoot-down bodes well for the MDA, which the Pentagon took to task in a 60-page report released in October. Among other things, the Institute for Defense Analyses concluded that the MDA’s rapid development and deployment of systems have come at the expense of planning and preparation, and recommended that the agency re-focus on research.

Friday’s test was part of a $100 billion missile defense program.

*The Pentagon takes the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to task in a new 60-page study. The Institute for Defense Analyses carried out an independent study of the MDA to examine and make recommendations about long-term missions, roles, and structure.

The MDA is directed, among other things, to develop missile defense systems. But the MDA’s rapid development and deployment of the systems have come at the expense of planning and preparation, the Pentagon concludes. The report recommends the MDA re-focus on research. Download the report in PDF. (The Huffington Post)

*The AFP reported in September that the island nation of Taiwan would not deploy missiles capable of hitting Shanghai, China. This week the AFP reported that Taiwan plans to make up to 300 Hsiungfeng 2E cruise missiles. China lays claim to Taiwan, but it’s governed separately and has been since 1949. Should Taiwan decide to become independent, China most likely will threaten war. (AFP)

*Public Survey on Missile Defense – The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, formed after the September 11 terrorist attacks, has published a series of public survey results. These results are presented in Power Point and Word documents. To find out what Americans, Poles, and Czechs think about missile defense, visit the survey page.

*U.S. military sources reported that a fire occurring on May 23 at a nuclear facility burned undetected for five days. The fire, which resulted in $1.4 million worth of damage, was caused by a bad battery charger. (Herald Sun)

*The MDA’s General Henry Obering said he’s concerned about the ratification of the agreement between the U.S. and Poland to build a missile defense system in Poland. Finalized some months ago, the agreement must be approved by parliament. Democrats in Congress have threatened to withhold funding until the Polish parliament ratifies the agreement.

“If we get ratification by the end of this year,” Obering said, “we will still not be able to put an interceptor on the ground in Poland until 2012.” (AFP)