Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS March 19th - March 25th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On March 19th, the IDF acknowledged the breach of Israel's missile air defense by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, marking the first admission of such an incident. A cruise missile, likely from the Red Sea direction, landed north of Eilat on Sunday, prompting concerns over the vulnerability of Israel's defense systems. While the IDF didn't directly name the Houthis, the group has previously attempted to target Israel with ballistic missiles. Previous missile attempts were thwarted by Israel's Arrow missile defense systems. Unlike a drone incursion from Syria, this cruise missile posed a more significant threat, though it landed in an uninhabited area. The IDF is investigating why the missile wasn't intercepted, speculating that its trajectory may have surprised air defense operators. Israel's David Sling system is designed to counter such cruise missiles but hasn't been utilized in Eilat previously, highlighting a potential gap in defense readiness. On March 19th, North Korea announced the successful testing of a solid-fuel engine for its new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, a move seen as progress toward developing a potent weapon capable of targeting distant U.S. locations. Kim Jong Un's pledge to modernize North Korea's arsenal aims to counter perceived U.S. hostility and possibly leverage for diplomatic concessions. Kim supervised the ground test, emphasizing the strategic importance of the missile alongside intercontinental ballistic missiles. These missiles, primarily aimed at U.S. territories like Guam, could be adjusted to target closer areas, including U.S. military bases in Japan. North Korea's pursuit of solid-propellant weapons aims to enhance launch concealment and overcome missile defense systems. While hypersonic capabilities are sought, consistency in maintaining desired speeds during tests remains uncertain. Recent missile launches by North Korea prompt regional concerns, leading to increased military exercises among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Analysts anticipate further missile tests ahead of the U.S. presidential election. On March 25th, Raytheon conducted a successful live-fire test of its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), showcasing its ability to detect and engage a sophisticated target. Military officials from seven countries observed as the radar tracked a high-speed cruise missile surrogate, transmitting data to guide a Patriot missile interception. Raytheon's Tom Laliberty emphasized the radar's capability to address evolving global threats, noting its performance against realistic scenarios. The LTAMDS, powered by Gallium Nitride, is designed to counter advanced threats like manned and unmanned aircraft and hypersonic weapons, with a 360-degree coverage using three antennas. Last year, the radar achieved developmental milestones and underwent testing against simulated and real-world threats. Further testing is planned, with fielding expected later in the year. The LTAMDS represents a significant advancement in air and missile defense, offering enhanced capabilities to address next-generation threats effectively. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS We Got Your Back "China right now, and I mean to add up the number of countries but it’s somewhere between 6-12 countries, in which China claims territory that is now the sovereign territory of other nations. It is not just Taiwan..." Click here to read more. Speed to Defend Space "Our biggest challenge today is the speed at which the People’s Republic of China continues to develop its space capabilities and in particular they are developing..." Click here to read more. From Rhetoric to Weapons – The U.S. Navy Is Kinetically Defending Sea Lines "We held our 58th virtual last Thursday March 21st, From Rhetoric to Weapons – The U.S. Navy is Kinetically Defending Sea Lines..." Click here to read more. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK CPT Christopher Lucca CPT Christopher Lucca serves as the Deputy 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. CPT Lucca 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 operational and tactical execution of the mission and provides recommendations to the Director 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. Provide direct supervision for MDE Charlie crew in the Missile Defense Integration Operation Center (MDIOC)at Schriever SFB, CO, and supervisory 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 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Pentagon Partners with Japan to Save on New Hypersonic Defense, But How Fast Can It Come? - Air and Space Forces Magazine - 03/20/2024 US Navy making Aegis updates, training changes based on Houthi attacks - Defense News - 03/21/2024 Germany Orders Patriot Air Defense Systems From Raytheon - The Defense Post - 03/25/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Iraq Seeks New Anti-Aircraft Weapons - The Defense Post - 03/20/2024 Russia hits energy targets in Ukraine, showing need for more air defenses - The Washington Post - 03/22/2024 THREAT NEWS Russia launches largest missile attack on Kyiv in weeks - Reuters - 03/21/2024 China Will Be Ready to Invade Taiwan in Three Years, Top US Admiral Says - 03/21/2024 Russia violates Poland's air space in attack on Ukraine, Poland's armed forces say - Reuters - 03/25/2024 OTHER NEWS General Atomics Partners with Lockheed Martin for Next-Gen Missile Tracking Satellites - Space War - 03/19/2024 US Air Force conducts final test of Lockheed’s hypersonic missile - Defense News - 03/19/2024 Colorado National Guard breaks ground on homeland defense and civil support readiness center - 03/20/2024 US tests hypersonic missile in Pacific as it aims to keep up with China and Russia - 03/21/2024 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!