Missile Defense Mondays   MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS August 27th - September 2nd, 2024 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Kongsberg, a Norwegian defense firm, plans to build a missile manufacturing plant in Newcastle, Australia, with an investment of up to A$850 million from the Australian government. The facility will produce Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for the Australian military, with manufacturing expected to begin in 2027. The plant is part of Australia's initiative to expand its sovereign defense production capabilities and includes partnerships with companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon under the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise. Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $200 million contract by the US Space Force to build a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) in Wales, UK, as part of a project to enhance space domain awareness. The site will include 27 radar dishes, providing all-weather, 24/7 monitoring capabilities for space objects. The radar is part of a broader initiative involving the UK, US, and Australia, aimed at achieving global deep-space coverage to protect vital satellite networks and enhance security for the US and its allies. On August 29th, A series of suspicious drone sightings over critical infrastructure and military bases in Germany has alarmed officials, leading to increased security measures. Drones were spotted near sensitive locations like a defunct nuclear plant and an LNG terminal, with some incidents suggesting potential espionage. Authorities suspect Russian involvement and have launched investigations. The German military and police are enhancing their counter-drone capabilities to address the threat. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Calling Putin's Bluff Ukraine’s bold and brilliant counter offensive into Russian territory is both a tactical and strategic win. Read more MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK SPC Braden Rogers  SPC Braden Rogers is currently assigned as the Crewmember #1 of NASAMs Team 12, 3rd Squad, Shooter Battery, 2nd Platoon, 1-174 Air Defense Artillery Regiment. SPC Rogers has been identified, by both Battalion and Task Force personnel, as giving an extremely accurate brief of the NASAMs Launcher System. His expertise and professionalism have helped his leadership identify Team 12 as being the top performing team of the Platoon. SPC Rogers enlisted into the Ohio Army National Guard in May of 2021 as a 14S (avenger crewmember) and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 1-174 ADA, where he will return after the completion of this mission. He was immediately placed on the DMD for the NCR mission (2023-24), in support of Operation Noble Eagle upon his return from AIT. SPC Rogers has completed Distributed Leader Course I. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. His favorite memory of being in the military, thus far, is the missile live fire exercise that was conducted during mobilization training. In his spare time, SPC Rogers enjoys hiking and playing his guitar. While on this current mission, he has completed a Chemistry course through The American Military University, with hopes of pursuing an Engineering degree once he returns home. SPC Rogers enjoys spending time with his mom, dad, brother, sister, and dog; all of whom reside in Franklin, Ohio. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2024 NCR Missile Defender of the Year NEWS HEADLINES MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Ukraine’s F-16 jets intercept Russian missiles in apparent first - Defense News - 08/27/2024 Northrop Pitches ATHENA as US Army’s New Threat Detection System - The Defense Post - 08/30/2024 AIR DEFENSE NEWS Ukraine Unveils ‘Palianytsia’ Rocket Drone for Strikes Deep Into Russia - The Defense Post - 08/27/2024 Slovakia to buy Israeli Barak MX air defense systems for $610M - Defense News - 08/29/2024 THREAT NEWS Russia tries to jolt its sluggish Su-57 warplane production - Defense News - 08/27/2024 Chinese general tells US national security adviser to stop ‘collusion’ with Taiwan - The Hill - 08/29/2024 SPACE NEWS Securing US space assets is busting the Air Force budget, Kendall says - Defense News - 08/27/2024 OTHER NEWS US Approves Sale of 100 AMRAAM Missiles for Norwegian NASAMS - Defense - 08/27/2024 Russia’s Shahed-type drones are losing their bite in Ukraine - Defense Post - 08/26/2024  Stay Connected: MDAA | 515 King Street Suite 330 | Alexandria, VA 22314 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice