MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS November 27th - December 4th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Tuesday, November 28th, Millennium Space Systems received approval from the U.S. Space Force to produce six satellites for a missile-sensor layer in medium Earth orbit (MEO). The satellites will be designed to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The company's proposal successfully passed a critical design review, and production is set to begin, with hardware delivery and launch scheduled for late 2026. The Space Force has allocated $500 million in fiscal year 2024 for the MEO missile warning and tracking layer. Space Systems Command plans to acquire up to 27 satellites for the MEO layer to enhance missile threat detection, including hypersonic glide vehicles. Millennium's digital engineering approach, utilizing advanced software models and simulations, played a crucial role in securing the production deal, demonstrating successful missile detection and tracking capabilities from the MEO orbital position. On Wednesday, November 29th, Bulgaria announced intention to join 11 other European nations in the European Sky Shield initiative for air defense. The Bulgarian Council of Ministers approved a Memorandum of Understanding, enabling collaborative efforts with other nations to acquire, maintain, and deploy ground-based air defense systems. This initiative, which includes countries like Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Germany, aims to enhance Europe's unified defense architecture within the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System. To support this participation, Bulgaria's Ministry of Defense has allocated over BGN 28 million for the acquisition, modernization, maintenance, and repair of defense-related assets and infrastructure. On Sunday, December 3rd, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles at three commercial ships in the Red Sea, with a U.S. warship intercepting three drones during the attack. The U.S. military condemned the assaults, considering them a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. The Houthis claimed responsibility for two of the attacks, and the U.S. implicated Iran in enabling these actions. The incident signifies an escalation in maritime attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. military, including the USS Carney destroyer, was involved in repelling the attacks, with damage reported to one of the targeted vessels, Unity Explorer. The British military also reported an explosion near Yemen's Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In the broader context, tensions have been heightened due to Iran's nuclear program, and the U.S. has pledged to consider appropriate responses. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA Tribute Henry A. Kissinger 1923-2023 "His unmatched intellect, his influence and guidance of the most powerful leaders in the world produced an era of nuclear deterrence with stability in the world order preventing world wars, prospering the western world, opening relations with China, and leading the American Super Power in superior statesmanship." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SPC Brandyn Lessmann SPC Lessmann was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from Interior Distance Education in June 2016 and joined the United States Army in April 2021. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was awarded the military occupation of 14H. He completed additional training in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the Sensor Manager Qualification Course in November 2021. He relocated to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, where he was assigned to the 12th Missile Defense Battery Sensor Management Cell at the 609th Air Operations Center.  He is stationed at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam with the 94th AAMDC. He is a Sensor Manager for the 613th Air Operations Center for the 10th and 14th Missile Defense Battery Sensor Management Cell. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 Indo-Pacific Missile Defenders of the Year  NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS America Must Learn Missile Defense Lessons From Israel-Hamas War - AMAC - 11/28/2023 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS PAC-3 integrates with LTAMDS Radar - SpaceWar - 11/27/2023 Okinawa Partnerships: The Southwest Air Defense Missile Group - DVIDS - 11/27/2023 Anduril unveils jet-powered interceptor designed to down enemy drones, missiles - Defense One - 12/01/2023 THREAT NEWS Signal: Iran finalises receipt of Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia - Airforce Technology - 11/29/2023 Iranian drone ‘took unsafe action’ near carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower - C4ISRNET - 11/29/2023 OTHER NEWS SDA Demonstrates Link 16 from Space for First Time Ever - Air & Space Forces Magazine - 11/28/2023 Philippines builds new coast guard station on island in South China Sea - Reuters - 12/01/2023 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!