MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS April 25th - May 1st, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, April 25, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong had entered the South China Sea after nearly three weeks of operating in areas further east. This included sailing with the rest of its strike group within around 400 miles of the strategic U.S. island territory of Guam. This recent cruise in the Western Pacific underscores ongoing efforts by the People's Liberation Army Navy to expand the scale and scope of routine operations using the flattops it has now and its still growing carrier ambitions overall. On Thursday, April 27, it was reported that Pentagon overseers have given the Missile Defense Agency the green light to take the next step in developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), designed to shoot down hypersonic missiles before they begin the high-speed maneuvers that make them hard to engage, according to a senior MDA official. Laura DeSimone, MDA executive director, told the Potomac Officers Club today that the Missile Defense Executive Board — led by Bill LaPlante, Defense Department acquisition czar, and Heidi Shyu, head of research and engineering — on April 21 signed off on initiation of GPI’s “technology development” phase. Also on Thursday, it was reported that Russia does not intend to take the path of nuclear escalation in its standoff with the West over Ukraine but others should not test its patience, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. Her comments follow a flurry of warnings by senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that Western military support for Ukraine is increasing the risks of a catastrophic nuclear conflict. On Friday, April 28, the South Korean government had approved a plan for long-range missile defense system development. The long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) II will be developed from 2024-2035 for 2.71 trillion won ($2.03 billion), Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The outlet added that the system will have interceptors for high-altitude and glide-phase targets such as hypersonic missiles. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS 12 Minutes "We have this leak that showed that China could launch one of these hypersonic glide capabilities 2100 km, that it could get there in 12 minutes, and I actually don’t think it can’t be too classified because it was a year ago Admiral, that you were before the Senate Armed Services Committee, and you seemed to be giving the warning, at that time, that we saw manifest at this leak..." Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ukrainian War Updates Track the number and type of missiles used in the Ukrainian war, the number of casualties, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the conflict in Ukraine. Taiwan Incursion Updates Track the number and type of incursions in the Taiwan Strait, the number of missiles fired, aircraft crossing the ADIZ, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the tensions in the Taiwan Strait. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant Sarah Brice SGT Brice enlisted into the South Carolina National Guard in May 2014 as a 68W Healthcare Specialist from Columbia, South Carolina. Upon completion of Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Advanced Individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, SGT Brice joined the 2/263rd Air Defense Artillery National Guard unit in Anderson, South Carolina. SGT Brice served with the 2/263rd ADA from April 2015 to February 2019 attending multiple drills and Annual Training’s in preparation for any state activations or mobilizations. SGT Brice joined the AGR program in March 2019, assigned to the MP GBI Security Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, at Fort Greely, Alaska. She served and still serves in multiple positions with the MP GBI Security Company. Assignments included are as a Military Police Team Member from March 2019 to January 2021. In January 2021, she got promoted to Sergeant and currently serves as a Military Police Team Leader, Equal Opportunity Leader, SHARP Representative, and Unit Public Affairs Representative in the MP GBI Security Company. SGT Brice’s military education includes Basic Leaders Course (Commandants list), Vindicator Command and Control Operator Course, Ground Surveillance Radar Operator Course, Drone Buster Operator Course, Corian System Training Course, and Equal Opportunity Leaders Course. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in the Public Health and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Her awards include Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge-Wheeled Vehicle, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. SGT Brice enjoys spending her time outside with her dogs and at the barn with her horse. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS 'Soldiers intercept 2 target missiles during Patriot system’s firing debut in the Philippines - Army Recognition - 04/25/2023 Ukraine's fate against Russia's superior air force hinges on its dwindling surface-to-air missile arsenal, airpower expert warns - Business Insider - 04/26/2023 MBDA to supply CAMM missiles and iLaunchers for Poland’s PILICA+ air defence upgrade programme - Army Recognition - 04/28/2023 THREAT NEWS Tense face-off: Philippines confronts China over sea claims - AP News - 04/27/2023 Ukraine: Russia launches cruise missiles into Kyiv and other cities, killing at least 23 people - Fox News - 04/28/2023 China flies combat drone around Taiwan; US Navy plane transitis strait - Reuters - 04/28/2023 OTHER NEWS US plans nuclear missile submarine visit in message to North Korea - Reuters - 04/27/2023 U.S. Navy P-8 Flies Over Taiwan Strait, China Scrambles Fighters - USNI News - 04/28/2023  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!