Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS March 26th - April 1st, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On March 25th, The U.S. Navy submitted a $2.2 billion wish list for fiscal year 2025 to lawmakers. This supplementary list aims to address gaps in funding caused by high-tempo operations in the Red Sea and delays in passing a supplemental spending bill by Congress. The list includes 13 items, such as infrastructure repairs in Guam and acquiring additional KC-130J transport planes for the Navy Reserve. The top priority is investing $403 million in the submarine-industrial base to support vendor capacity and workforce development. Another significant request is $92.9 million to replenish Standard Missile-2 weapons used in Red Sea operations. Additionally, the Navy seeks funding for F-35C engines, Super Hornet Block III upgrades, and MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based tanker drone deployment. Other items include investments in surface force readiness, subsea warfare technology, unmanned undersea vehicles, and classified programs. The Navy also requests nearly $1.5 billion for military construction projects. Any additions from this list would require offsets elsewhere in the defense budget due to budget caps imposed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. On March 26th, The Telegraph reported on Ukraine's innovative use of mobile phones and microphones as part of a network to track incoming drones and missiles. General James Hecker of the US Air Forces in Europe disclosed this project, which utilizes thousands of mobile phones attached to 6ft poles to gather acoustic data. The data is then processed by artificial intelligence to identify potential threats. This initiative, known as the "Virazh" system, is part of Ukraine's national air defense command and control network. Additionally, Ukraine employs another system called Zvook, which uses micro-computers to detect various aerial threats. Both systems have proven effective in providing early warning and have drawn interest from NATO countries. This use of acoustic technology showcases a historical resurgence in defense methods, adapted with modern technological advancements On March 28th, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Navy achieved a significant milestone with the successful intercept of an advanced Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) test target using the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II with Software Upgrade (SWUP). This test, known as Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM) 32 or Stellar Laelaps, showcased the capability to detect, track, engage, and intercept an MRBM target during its terminal phase, with an Aegis Baseline 9-equipped ship conducting the live intercept. A notable aspect of this test was the substantial participation of U.S. ally Australia, which demonstrated its capabilities with air, land, and sea assets. Australia's involvement included radar demonstrations by the ANZAC Class frigate HMAS Stuart and data collection assistance from an Australian E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, showcasing allied interoperability. The successful test not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the Aegis Weapon System paired with the SM-6 missile but also highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and its allies to maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. Through this collaboration, additional objectives were achieved, increasing interoperability and integration between the two countries. FTM-32 represented the fourth flight test of an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense-configured vessel using the upgraded SM-6 Dual II missile and the second Aegis Baseline 9.C2 (BMD 5.1) intercept of an MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II SWUP missile. The test further validated the capabilities of the SM-6 missile, designed to defend against short-to-medium range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK 1LT Dardrin Qin 1LT Dardin Qin serves as the Current Operations Officer 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. 1LT Qin is responsible for sensor integration into the GMD tactics, techniques, and procedures for day-to-day crisis and combat operations; monitors automated system readiness and maintenance statuses to include the Fire Direction Center (FDC); participates in C2 simulations, tactical exercises, war games, ground and flight tests, and other related exercises; supports the planning and development of the Missile Defense Agency requirements into Joint and MDA GMD Program Officer material development process and operations; supervises two Non-commissioned Officer crew members and their contribution to the ballistic missile fight.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Defenders of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Taiwan Conducts Missile Drills 'in Face of' China Military Intrusions - VOA - 03/26/2024 THAAD: America's Very Best Missile Killer in Asia? - National Interest - 03/28/2024 Raytheon’s Enhanced SM-6 Missile Intercepts Ballistic Target in Sea Trial - Naval News - 04/01/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Australian military buys $5m laser-based anti-drone system - The Guardian - 03/26/2024 Navy warship fights off four-drone Houthi attack - Navy Times - 03/28/2024 THREAT NEWS Houthis claim strikes on ships, Maersk denies it was attacked - Reuters - 03/26/2024 Nato discusses plans to shoot down Russian missiles if they approach alliance borders - The Telegraph - 03/27/2024 China plans 1,240-mile range missile to shoot bombers at unprecedented distance - Interesting Engineering - 03/28/2024 Philippine President warns of countermeasures in response to Chinese Aggression at sea - Associated Press - 03/28/2024 OTHER NEWS US Navy preps hypersonic weapon test this spring, with Army watching - Defense News - 03/28/2024 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!