MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS January 8th - January 15th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Thursday, January 11th, The U.S. Navy announced a major upgrade for its Arleigh Burke class destroyers, focusing on four ships – USS Pinckney, USS James E. Williams, USS Chung Hoon, and USS Halsey. This initiative, known as Destroyer Modernization 2.0 Program, involves enhancements such as new radars, advanced electronic warfare suites, and thermal management systems. Captain Tim Moore outlined the key components, including the AN/ALQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block III, AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar, and an improved Aegis Combat System. The USS Pinckney has already received the SEWIP Block III suite, visibly transforming its appearance. The Navy plans to upgrade additional destroyers to this standard after completing the first phase. Furthermore, the Navy is developing the DDG(X) class of destroyers with advanced features, intending to start procurement in the 2032 Fiscal Year. Concerns about shipyard capacity and maintenance delays add urgency to these modernization efforts, given the evolving geopolitical landscape and potential challenges from China's growing naval capabilities. On Sunday, January 14th, North Korea launched an apparent intermediate-range missile into the Sea of Japan, heightening tensions amid recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests and the launch of a military spy satellite. The missile, fired from the area of Pyongyang, traveled about 1,000 km off the east coast of North Korea. The country has increased pressure on South Korea, declaring it the "principal enemy" and expressing intent to enhance its nuclear strike capability on the U.S. and Pacific allies. The launch was criticized by Japan, citing a violation of UN resolutions. North Korea's Foreign Minister is set to visit Russia, deepening ties between the two nations. The U.S. and its allies have condemned alleged Russian involvement in North Korean missile activities, imposing sanctions on entities linked to the transfer and testing of ballistic missiles. The situation raises concerns about North Korea's willingness to challenge the U.S. and allies, especially amid global attention on other geopolitical issues. On Monday, January 15th, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles, claiming to target "spy headquarters" in Iraq's Kurdish region and alleged ISIL positions in northern Syria. The missile strikes in Erbil, Iraq, resulted in casualties, with at least eight explosions reported. The Iraqi government condemned the attacks, labeling them a violation of sovereignty, and expressed intentions to consider various actions, including filing a complaint at the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. and other nations criticized the actions, describing the missile attacks as "reckless" and undermining Iraq's stability. Iran asserted that the strikes were in response to recent terrorist atrocities in the country and aimed at countering terrorism. The attacks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly during Israel's offensive in Gaza. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Scaling Up "As we begin the year of 2024 and look back on achievements and developments involving missile defense in 2023, we want to highlight the significant collaboration and team building we were a part of with the 94..." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Major Nicholas Burriola Major Burriola is the Chief of Plans, Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD/A36) Division at the 613th Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. In this role he is responsible for leading the developments of USINDOPACOM theater area air defense plans, alter postures, and command and control plans for the execution of Integrated Air and Missile Defense for the Theater Area Air Defense Commander. Additionally, he is responsible for integrating Operation NOBLE EAGLE planning, execution and training for USINDOPACOM's air sovereignty mission with existing Operational Plans. Major Burriola commissioned in 2010 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Texas A&M University-College Station. He is a Senior Air Battle Manager with over 1600 hours on the E-8C and operational experience on multiple weapon systems including as an Air Liaison Officer. His previous assignmnet was as Chief of Training, 330th Combat Training Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He served as an E-8C JSTARS Formal Training Unit's Iniial Flight Qualification Training Program. Major Burriola has deployed in support of multiple Operations including IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, ENDURING FREEDOM & NATO'S RESOLUTE SUPPORT MISSION Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 Indo-Pacific Missile Defenders of the Year  NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Why Shoot Down Houthi Missiles When We Could Microwave Them? - Popular Mechanics - 01/1/2024 NATO’s rotational air defense presence on its eastern borders would be ‘appropriate response to Russian escalation,’ says Lithuanian Foreign - YahooNews - 1/12/2024 THREAT NEWS How Iranian tech empowers Houthi drone, missile attacks in the Red Sea - C4ISRNET - 01/08/2024 Taiwan’s Defense Ministry mistranslates an alert, erroneously saying China launched a missile - AP - 01/08/2024 OTHER NEWS Change of command ceremony set for Space and Missile Defense Command - CBS News 19 - 01/09/2024 U.S. Says It Has Accepted Kosovo's Request To Purchase Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles - RadioFreeEurope - 01/11/2024 Ships and aircraft search for 2 Navy SEALs missing after mission to confiscate Iranian missile parts - ABC News - 01/15/2024 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!