Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS March 12th - March 18th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On March 11th, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) requested $10.4 billion for fiscal year 2025, marking a decrease from previous years. Notably, the agency did not provide a public briefing on its budget request, but highlighted investments in homeland defense and protection for Guam from air and missile threats in the Pacific. Key allocations include $2.7 billion for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) development and Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system upgrades. The NGI development involves two competing teams aiming to replace current interceptors. Additionally, $1.2 billion is designated for Guam defense, focusing on Aegis systems and infrastructure. MDA plans to spend $1.2 billion on SM-3 Block IIA missiles and enhance Aegis ships' capability. Funding for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system sees a slight increase. Other initiatives include development of the Glide Phase Interceptor, Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, and AN/TPY-2 radar. The budget also allocates resources for command and control systems and major tests to assess defense capabilities. On March 12th, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported conducting six defense strikes and firing 18 anti-ship missiles in Yemen in response to Houthi rebels firing two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Red Sea. The Houthi missiles targeted the merchant vessel Pinocchio, but no damage or injuries were reported. In retaliation, CENTCOM conducted self-defense strikes destroying Houthi-controlled weaponry perceived as an imminent threat to merchant and Navy vessels in the region. The strikes aim to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance security in international waters. Initially framed as pressure tactics against Israel, Houthi attacks persist despite ships avoiding the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The U.S. and coalition forces have intercepted numerous Houthi missiles, yet the rebel attacks persist unabated. This escalation underscores ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region. On March 18th, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, marking its first known missile testing in about a month. The launches coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul for a democracy summit. Japan reported three missile launches, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida denouncing North Korea's actions as threats to regional peace. South Korea also detected several suspected short-range ballistic launches. Observers noted the missiles' targeting of South Korean facilities. The U.S. State Department condemned the launches, reaffirming its commitment to defending South Korea and Japan. North Korea's recent missile tests follow a pattern of heightened tensions and military activities. Despite North Korea's push for nuclear-capable missiles, experts doubt its readiness for a full-scale attack given the superior strength of U.S. and South Korean forces. Concerns persist over North Korea's aggressive stance, particularly since leader Kim Jong Un's January speech signaling a shift towards militarization and hostility towards South Korea. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS “Hypersonics are probably the most destabilizing weapon we face now” "The House Armed Services Committee of the United States Congress held a posture hearing..." Click here to read more. Doubling Down in the Senate "The Senate Armed Services Committee of the United States Congress held a posture hearing on the North American continent with General Gregory M. Guillot..." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK MAJ Kent Brandsted MAJ Kent Brandsted serves as the Director on Charlie Crew 100th Missile Defense Brigade. Charlie Crew is recognized as the Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) Missile Defense Element (MDE) Top Crew for 2023. The Top Crew demonstrated mastery of all GMD Gunnery Tables and Tactics receiving the top scores on Table VIII certifications. Additionally, the crew maintained the highest scores on Army proficiency training including Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and weapons qualifications. As GMD Crewmembers their vigilance performing the GMD Homeland Defense mission provides defense of our Nation from ICBM attacks 24/7 365-days a year. MAJ Brandsted is responsible for routine and combat operations of the globally dispersed multi-billion-dollar GMD Fire Control (GFC) system and supporting assets to accomplish United States Northern Command's (USNORTHCOM) strategic mission to defend the United States from an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) attack. He serves as the primary interface for the operational and tactical execution of the mission ISO North American Aerospace Defense command. He supervises all activities of the GMD system including readiness, operational employment, and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) tests and exercises. He provides direct supervision for the MDE crew working at the Missile Defense Integration Operation Center (MDIOC) at Schriever SFB, CO. He also provides operational oversight of the Fire Direction Center (FDC) in Ft. Greely, AK, and Detachment 1 at Vandenberg SFB, CA. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Defenders of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS Yemen’s Houthis obtain hypersonic missile, upgrade weapons arsenal - report - The Jerusalem Post - 03/15/2024 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Time for a New Missile Defense Review and a Space-Based Missile Defense Overlayer - The Heritage Foundation - 03/11/2024 Army Accelerates Lasers For Air & Missile Defense - Warrior Maven - 03/13/2024 Philippines, Japan near long-range missile milestones as they arm up for China - Breaking Defense - 03/15/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Watch Declassified Video Of The UK's DragonFire Laser Zapping An Aerial Target - IFL Science - 03/13/2024 State Department OKs Poland’s $3.7B FMS Requests for Missile Defense Systems - GovConWire - 03/13/2024 THREAT NEWS Yemen's Houthis test hypersonic missile to target US coalition ships - Army Recognition - 03/15/2024 'Turn around immediately': Taiwan warns off Chinese coast guard boats again as tensions simmer - Reuters - 03/16/2024 OTHER NEWS Pentagon may build a second track for hypersonic ground testing - Defense News - 03/13/2024 General Atomics to Provide Missile Warning Payloads for Space Development Agency - The Defense Post - 03/14/2024 Pacific leaders say they need more funding to compete with China - Defense News - 03/14/2024 India Releases First Image of Game-Changing Missile - Newsweek - 03/14/2024 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!