Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS April 16th - April 22nd, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On April 15th, Lockheed Martin secured a $17 billion contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to develop the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for safeguarding the nation against intercontinental ballistic missile threats. This move aims to counter evolving missile capabilities from nations like North Korea and Iran. The contract provides a boost to Lockheed after recent setbacks, including reduced F-35 orders and the abandonment of a helicopter project. The NGI, part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program, is slated to be operational by 2028. Lockheed's shares rose slightly following the announcement. The program's lifetime value is estimated at $17.7 billion, with the Biden administration requesting $28.4 billion for missile defenses in the fiscal 2025 budget. The selection between Lockheed and Northrop Grumman was made after both companies submitted designs. Despite the positive news, Lockheed faces challenges, including supply-chain disruptions affecting its F-35 segment, leading to a forecasted profit below expectations for 2024. On April 19th, an Israeli drone attack targeted a major air base near Isfahan, prompting Iranian air defenses to activate. The attack occurred shortly after Iran's drone-and-missile assault on Israel. While no Iranian official acknowledged Israel's involvement, tensions have been high due to previous conflicts. The United States received last-minute information about the attack from Israel, but denied involvement in offensive operations. Reports suggested that quadcopters were involved in the attack. The targeted air base housed Iran's fleet of F-14 Tomcats. The incident occurred near Iran's nuclear facilities, but state television assured that all atomic sites remained safe. The International Atomic Energy Agency emphasized the need to protect nuclear facilities during military conflicts. Following the attack, the United Arab Emirates-based airlines diverted their flights away from western Iran. Iran temporarily grounded commercial flights, but later restored normal service. During the same period, Israel reportedly carried out a missile strike on an air defense unit in Syria. The incident raised concerns about the conflict escalating in the Middle East and prompted a warning to ships about increased drone activity. The attack briefly affected energy markets. Iranian state-run media downplayed the incident after airing footage of a peaceful morning in Isfahan. Experts suggest that both sides have room to deescalate the situation. On April 21st, it was reported that the recent approval by the House of Representatives of a much-anticipated aid package for Ukraine marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The package, totaling nearly $61 billion, encompasses both military and economic assistance aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and supporting its struggling economy. At the forefront of advocating for this aid was Oleksandra Ustinova, a Ukrainian lawmaker who leads the parliament's committee on arms. Ustinova's persistent efforts in urging U.S. lawmakers to release the aid underscored the urgency of the situation, with Ukrainian forces facing dwindling ammunition and weapons amidst advancing Russian troops. The approval of the aid package comes against the backdrop of escalating violence, exemplified by recent Russian airstrikes targeting Ukrainian cities, resulting in numerous casualties. The dire circumstances faced by Ukraine prompted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to issue impassioned appeals for international support, warning of the grave consequences of inaction. The House's decision to pass the aid bill represents a crucial step forward in addressing Ukraine's immediate needs and providing much-needed relief to its embattled population. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS A Historic Watershed Moment for Missile Defense "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, from a beautiful day here in Washington D.C., the azaleas blooming and the smell and the feel of victory is in the air..."  Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK CPT Zachary Buenger CPT Zachary “Zac” Buenger entered the active duty Army in January 2016 after graduating from Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also possesses a Master’s Degree in Leadership Studies from Marshall University. His military education includes: Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course, U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, U.S. Army Airborne and Air Assault School. Additionally, he was selected as a military fellow, participating in the MG John G. Rossi Military Fellowship with the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. CPT Buenger currently serves as the Commander of Charlie Battery, 2-44 ADA BN, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Following command, he will PCS to the National Capital Region and serve in the highly selective Omar R. Bradley (JCS/OSD/ARSTAF) Fellowship. CPT Buenger is a self-starter and driven individual, leading organizational change in Short Range Air Defense formations across the Air Defense Branch. CPT Buenger recently completed a 10-month deployment to Syria, leading his Battery in the first integrated Air Defense of multiple FOBs, defending against Indirect Fire and One Way - Unmanned Aerial Systems. Previously, he served in the following key and developmental assignments: Battery Commander (Avenger), 2-44 ADA BN, Fort Campbell, KY; Aide-de-Camp to the 43rd Air Defense Artillery Commandant, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School (USAADASCH), Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Executive Officer and Fire Control Platoon Leader (PATRIOT), Bravo Battery, 1-43 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas; Platoon Leader (Avenger), Echo Battery, 6-52 ADA BN, Camp Casey, Korea. CPT Buenger deployed two times, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve – Syria (Avenger & C-RAM), and Operating Enduring Freedom – UAE (PATRIOT). CPT Buenger’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement medal (4 OLC), Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal. His badges include the U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Norwegian Foot March Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge – Gold. In his free time, CPT Buenger is an avid skier and mountain biker.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2023 U.S. Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS Getting to know the defense systems that keep Israel safe from Iranian threats - 04/14/2024 Israel’s military options for next stage of conflict with Iran - MSN - 04/15/2024 Unlocking the Future: How Missile Defense Could Revolutionize Citizen Protection - The Big 89 - 04/17/2024 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow: Israel’s air defense against Iran, explained - The Washington Post - 04/15/2024 Defense Officials Say Continued Investments in Missile Defense Are Critical Amid Evolving Threats - U.S. Department of Defense - 04/16/2024 ‘Mind-boggling’: Israel, Ukraine are mere previews of a much larger Pacific missile war, officials warn - Breaking Defense - 04/16/2024 Coalition conducts Air & Missile Defense exercise in Arabian Gulf - U.S. Air Forces Central AIR DEFENSE NEWS Poland to join European Sky Shield scheme, following thaw with Berlin - Defense News - 04/17/2024 China's Warplanes Face Threat From Neighbor's New Air Defense Missile - Newsweek - 04/18/2024 THREAT NEWS China rebukes US deployment of missiles in Indo-Pacific - VOA News - 04/19/2024 Russia's Zircon Hypersonic Missile Could Hit Kyiv in Minutes - Newsweek - 04/19/2024 OTHER NEWS Air Force to get a head start on GPS, target tracking efforts - Defense News - 04/16/2024 Argentina formally asks to become ‘global partner’ of NATO - 04/18/2024 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!