Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS August 6th - August 12th, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On August 6th, Raytheon was awarded a $478-million contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to supply GEM-T missile interceptors to Germany, intended to replace the Patriot missiles that Germany provided to Ukraine. Germany, a key supplier of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, has been pivotal in bolstering Kyiv’s defenses against ongoing Russian attacks. The contract underscores the benefits of multinational procurement through NSPA, which offers cost savings and expedited acquisition. This move enhances cooperation, interoperability, and support for NATO's mission, while also reinforcing European industrial capabilities with advanced missile interceptors. Between August 6th and August 7th, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan tracked 36 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan, with 31 aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line into various parts of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the activity. This is part of a broader pattern of increased Chinese military operations around Taiwan, which has seen 128 PLA aircraft and 62 Chinese ships tracked this month alone. These actions are part of China's gray zone tactics, which involve non-direct military pressure to achieve strategic objectives without open conflict. On August 8th at the SMD Symposium, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) highlighted its new Transformation Task Force, which aims to reshape the agency’s processes, technology development, and future architecture to address emerging threats like ballistic missiles, hypersonic systems, and low-end drones. MDA head Lt. Gen. Heath Collins emphasized that the task force will gather input from all levels, including field operators, to determine the best path forward. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make the agency more agile and responsive, with a focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and overcoming integration challenges across different military services and domains. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SPC Adrianna Santellanes-Cortina  SPC Santellanes is currently assigned as a Forward Area Air Defense Army Airspace Command and Control (FAAD A2C2), with HHB Battery, 1-174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Throughout training in preparation for deployment to the National Capital Region, SPC Santellanes displayed enthusiasm and motivation enhancing her understanding and knowledge as an Air Battle Manager. She conducted hundreds of simulations leading up to the unit’s initial evaluated training exercise. During EAS, she expanded her skills by transitioning from her initial role as a Forward Area Air Defense Air Battle Management Operation Center Operator to the role of FAAD A2C2 assuming additional responsibilities and duties. She seamlessly adapted to the position, thus allowing her to assist members of her team and ensure their overall success. She continued to demonstrate her dedication to learning and support to team members during Culminating Training Exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas in June 2023. In the NCR SPC Santellanes has played a crucial role as a FAAD A2C2, supporting the Joint Air Defense Operations Center’s mission by ensuring soldiers remained trained and prepared to fight during Falcon Virgo, Falcon Gain, and Distributed Mission Operation (DMO) exercises. Despite facing varying degrees of adversity, SPC Santellanes displayed remarkable adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between teams to fill the role of FAAD A2C2 whenever a vacancy arose. SPC Santellanes has shown her ability to lead and take charge by improving processes, procedures, and systems during missions ensuring documentation is streamlined and readily accessible. In addition to her operational duties, she has coordinated holiday events and potlucks to boost the morale of her fellow servicemembers, both Soldiers and Airmen, fostering a positive and cohesive unit environment. She began her military service in 2021 in the Ohio National Guard as an Air Defense Battle Management System Operator (14G). In addition to deploying to the NCR, SPC Santellanes has also mobilized to NTC located in Fort Irwin, California, where she served as a part of a Platoon size, acting as the Air Defense subject matter experts to support the training of fellow National Guardsmen. While in the NCR, SPC Santellanes completed an Associate's of Art Degree from Edison State Community College and began working towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marketing, showcasing her commitment to personal and professional development. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS US Army working on new missile defense strategy with eye toward 2040 - Defense News - 08/07/2024 Missile Defense Agency to pick hypersonic interceptor vendor this year - Defense News - 08/09/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Ukraine says it downed two Russian missiles and four drones overnight - The Economic Times - 08/08/2024 Australia Tests Advanced SM-6 Naval Air Defence Missile for First Time - US News - 08/10/2024 THREAT NEWS Iranian Guards navy has new highly explosive missiles, state media say - Reuters - 08/09/2024 SPACE NEWS UK’s new space radar can detect football-sized threats 22,000 miles away - Interesting Engineering - 08/08/2024 Space Force to expand missile-defense satellite network in medium Earth orbit - Space News - 08/09/2024 OTHER NEWS Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons - USNI News - 08/08/2024 South Korea and US will start summer military drills next week to counter North Korean threats - AP News - 08/12/2024  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice