MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS January 16th - January 22nd, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On January 16th, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) entered into a memorandum of understanding with The University of Hawaii at Manoa to develop onboard sensors for Earth-orbiting satellites. The partnership aims to advance the gathering of peaceful, scientific knowledge rather than military intelligence. The program will involve students from UH's School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, engineering, physics, and astronomy departments. The collaboration will focus on education, including the possibility of future executive education programs for professionals and advanced students in space sciences. The satellite-based sensors are expected to monitor various activities around the Hawaiian Islands and Pacific Ocean, such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and climate change impacts. The partnership follows UH's recent launch of a space tech development center and student-training hub at its Hilo campus. On January 17th, The United States, South Korea, and Japan conducted extensive naval exercises off South Korea's Jeju island, showcasing their collective strength in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The training, involving an American aircraft carrier, aimed to enhance deterrence and response capabilities, addressing concerns about North Korea's alleged arms transfers to Russia for the conflict in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent provocative weapons testing and threats have heightened regional tensions. Kim declared a departure from peaceful unification with South Korea and ordered a constitutional rewrite. In response to North Korea's ballistic test, the U.S. and allies expanded military exercises. Meanwhile, North Korea strengthened ties with Russia and China. Trilateral naval drills and diplomatic meetings discussed a coordinated response to North Korea's actions and potential illicit military cooperation between Russia and Pyongyang. South Korean President Yoon sought assurances from Washington regarding nuclear defense in case of a North Korean nuclear attack. On January 21st, the United Kingdom announced a directed energy weapon had hit an aerial target for the first time in a test. The UK Armed Forces are progressing towards deploying a powerful laser weapon called DragonFire, which has successfully fired at aerial targets in a trial at the MOD’s Hebrides Range. DragonFire is a laser-directed energy weapon with a low operating cost, less than £10 ($13) per shot, making it more economical than conventional missiles. The system offers pinpoint accuracy and the ability to cut through targets at the speed of light, potentially revolutionizing air defense tasks and reducing reliance on expensive ammunition. The £100 million DragonFire program, launched in 2017, involves collaboration with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ. The recent trial builds on previous testing, and the MOD plans to transition the technology into the operational phase with a multi-million-pound program. The US is also advancing in the development of naval-based high-energy lasers. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Our Partnership with the University of Hawaii "We are honored to announce a very special program that exemplifies our advocacy and our core mission. In Honolulu, Hawaii in January 16, 2024, The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) and the ..." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK CW3 Andrew Knight CW3 Andrew Knight was selected to become the BDE systems integrator in July of 2015 and completed 140A Warrant Officer Basic. While at Warrant Officer Advanced course, he was recognized as the first GMD Warrant to achieve Distinguished Honor Graduate. Additionally, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS of Space Science. CW3 Knight has been the SMDC Senior Warrant Officer Advisor for GMD since 2018 and the Colorado National Guard Air Defense Branch Mentor since 2017. Early in his career as a Warrant Officer, CW3 Knight developed a Positional & Crew training program that endures today reducing new operator training time from 45 days down to as few as 2 weeks. He has certified and served in all 5 crew positions, the only Warrant Officer to ever do so. He was also instrumental in developing the GMD Advanced Operators Course which has generated numerous skilled operators. CW3 Knight spearheaded 2 major software transitions successfully, supported more than 4 major TTP changes, conducted 100s of ORE events, mentored dozens of Officers and Soldiers on the technical and tactical implementation of the GMD capability. For the current software, CW3 Knight and the MDOPS team identified and implemented a TTP that directly increased our nation’s Missile Defense capacity. Throughout his tenure at the BDE, CW3 Knight has generated enduring change across the entirety of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense enterprise. By cultivating relationships with adjacent commands and material developers and by providing technical expertise, CW3 Knight has influenced almost every aspect of both the GMD system, software and TTPs for mission execution. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Defenders of the Year  NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS UH signs space sciences initiative with missile defense advocacy group - University of Hawaii News - 01/16/2024 UH signs deal to develop new satellite technology - Star Advertiser - 01/17/2024 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Pentagon's next-gen missile-tracking effort moves ahead -- for now - Defense One - 01/16/2024 Lockheed to test Patriot and Aegis integration in live-fire test - Defense News - 01/18/2024 The US is failing to quickly field hypersonic missile defense - Defense News - 01/19/2024 THREAT NEWS Houthi rebels launch missile attack on yet another U.S.-owned commercial ship, Pentagon says - CBS News - 01/18/2024 North Korea claims to test underwater nuclear-capable drone after US, South Korea and Japan show off naval might - CNN - 01/19/2024 U.S. personnel wounded in missile attack on Iraq airbase by Iranian-backed rebels - CBS News - 01/20/2024 OTHER NEWS Navy tests 'tactical' employment of unmanned ships in months-long exercise - Breaking Defense - 01/16/2024 Space Force needs more money, people to secure cislunar space: Mitchell Institute - Breaking Defense - 01/17/2024 NATO to stage largest military exercise in Europe since Cold War - Stars and Stripes - 01/18/2024 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!