THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE August 17 - August 23, 2019 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch This Week in Missile Defense Video Last Friday, reports indicated U.S. officials are expecting Iran to launch a rocket in the near future. Iran plans for the rocket to launch a satellite into orbit. Iran claims that the launch is for peaceful purposes, but space-launch vehicles utilize the same technology needed for an intercontinental ballistic missile. On Tuesday, it was reported that four Russian based nuclear monitoring stations that monitor radioactive particles in the atmosphere have mysteriously gone quiet after an August 8 explosion at a Russian missile testing facility. U.S. officials believe the deadly explosion was caused during a test of the Russian Burevestnik nuclear propelled cruise missile, which NATO has designated the code name of "Skyfall." On Wednesday, the Department of Defense decided to terminate the current Boeing contract to develop the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) for the Ground- Based Interceptors (GBIs). The RKV would have replaced the current Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV). The Missile Defense Agency had issued a stop work order on the contract in May due to the “failure of certain critical components.” DoD ultimately determined that the technical design problems were so significant as to be either insurmountable or cost-prohibitive to correct. The Pentagon plans to move forward with a contract competition to design a new, next-generation interceptor. Also on Wednesday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone. U.S. Central Command said it was aware of claims that an American MQ-9 Reaper drone had been shot down over Yemen but declined to elaborate. In June, the U.S. previously said an MQ-9 was shot down by the Houthis. On Thursday, the United States formally withdrew its offer for Turkey to purchase a Patriot missile system in retaliation for Turkey's receipt of the Russian-made S-400 missile system. In December, the U.S. State Department announced that it had approved the possible sale of a $3.5 billion Patriot missile system to Turkey. The U.S. had previously removed Turkey from the F-35 jet program, preventing Turkey from acquiring 100 fighters it had planned on purchasing. Click here to read all of the headlines from the week. MDAA ALERTS Termination “First, we will prioritize the defense of the American people above all else. Our review calls for 20 new ground based interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska and new radars and sensors to immediately detect foreign missiles launched against our great nation. We are committed to establishing... e Click here to read more... c MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ground-Based Midcourse Defense The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System provides the capability to engage and destroy limited intermediate... Learn more about GMD Turkey Turkey is a key NATO member located at the gateway between Europe and the Middle East. The country borders two failed states–Iraq and Syria–and subsequently is under constant threat from the residual effects of regional conflict. Learn more about Turkey Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The MQ-9 Reaper is the ninth system to be produced in the U.S. Air Force’s series of remotely controlled, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Learn more about the Reaper UAV MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK First Lieutenant Justus Neumann 1LT Neumann is the Deputy Tactical Director for Bravo Crew in the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Ft. Greeley, Alaska. 1LT Neumann was charged with one of the most demanding positions while working on Bravo Crew. His ability to prioritize tasks while managing the crew to ensure success greatly contributed to Bravo Crew earning the honor of Top Crew. 1LT Neumann is a native of Hamden, Connecticut. He enlisted in 2011 as an Officer Candidate and went to Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Upon graduating BCT, he was assigned to the 1/169th (LDR) OCS in Niantic, Connecticut. 1LT Neumann commissioned in 2013 through the Connecticut Army National Officer Candidate School (OCS) as a Military Police Officer. In 2015, 1LT Neumann accepted a position as a Platoon Leader in Alpha Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. In 2018, he transitioned to Higher Headquarters Battery (HHB), 49th Missile Defense Battalion where he is assigned as the Deputy Tactical Director for Bravo Crew. 1LT Neumann's military education include Introduction to Space, Ground-based Midcourse Defense Qualifications Course, Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) Evaluator/Trainer Course, Military Police Captains Career Course, Special Reaction Team, Inter-service Nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course, Anti-Terrorism Basic Officer Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) Instructor Course, and Military Police Basic Officer Leaders Course. He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. 1LT Neumann's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. He also is awarded the Basic Army Space Badge and the German Armed Forces Badge (Silver). Click here to view the winners from the 2019 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year. NEWS MDAA IN THE NEWS Pentagon kills ‘kill vehicle’ – 08/23/2019 – The Washington Examiner  MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Lockheed nets $80M contract for Aegis system upgrades – 08/19/2019 - UPI US Missile Defense Agency boss reveals his goals, challenges on the job – 08/19/2019 – Defense News Guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy conducts live-fire exercise – 08/19/2019 – Defence Blog Lockheed wins $638M Navy ship defense system contract – 08/20/2019 – Washington Technology Poland’s Missile Defenses are Critical for the Defense of Europe [OPINION] – 08/20/2019 – Defence24 US Army nears decision on who will build new missile defense radar prototypes – 08/21/2019 – Defense News U.S. Space Command and National Reconnaissance Office will join forces to defend space – 08/21/2019 – Space News USS Ramage deploys to provide ballistic missile defense for U.S. Navy fleet – 08/21/2019 – Defence Blog DOD tanks redesigned kill vehicle program for homeland defense interceptor – 08/21/2019 – Defense News Iran displays domestically built mobile missile defense system – 08/22/2019 - Reuters US formally pulls Turkey’s Patriot missile system offer – 08/23/2019 - CNN Trump’s new Pentagon’s chief says the US is testing once-banned missiles to ‘deter Chinese bad behavior’ – 08/23/2019 – Business Insider THREAT NEWS China Missiles Could Overwhelm U.S. Military in Asia in ‘Hours’, Says Think Tank – 08/19/2019 - Bloomberg North Korea Continues 2019 Missile Test Flurry With New Short-Range Missile Launches – 08/19/2019 – The Diplomat Russian Nuclear Monitoring Stations Went Silent After Missile Blast – 08/19/2019 – The Wall Street Journal US officials expecting Iran to launch rocket in coming days – 08/19/2019 - CNN Recent U.S., Russian Tests Part of New ‘Missile Renaissance’ – 08/21/2019 – USNI News North Korea’s Recent Missile and ‘Projectile’ Tests Need Your Attention – 08/21/2019 – The National Interest Pompeo expresses concern over North Korea missile tests – 08/21/2019 – The Hill Russia’s New Weapons: From Doomsday Nuclear Torpedoes to Skyfall Missiles – 08/21/2019 – The National Interest Putin Pledges Russian Response to U.S. Cruise Missile Test – 08/21/2019 – USNI News Yemen Rebel Group Claims It Shot Down U.S. Drone With a Missile – 08/22/2019 - TIME North Korea now able to miniaturise nuclear warheads – Japan defence report – 08/22/2019 – The Guardian OTHER NEWS Pentagon tests first land-based cruise missile in a post-INF treaty world (WATCH) – 08/21/2019 – Defense News DOD Says Space Force Requires Reforms; US Space Command Opening Soon; Debating Budget Priorities – 08/21/2019 – Air Force Magazine Russia, China seek U.N. Security Council meeting on U.S. missile developments – 08/22/2019 – Reuters Russia’s Northern Fleet beefs up Arctic air defense with Tor missile systems – 08/22/2019 – TASS Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!