On Tuesday, it was reported Taiwan deployed Patriot PAC-3 missile defense systems to Taipei City Zoo as part of nationwide military exercises. The exercises are designed to maintain Taiwan's combat readiness against a possible attack from China, whose threats have only grown more belligerent. The following day, two Chinese reconnaissance vessels were spotted off the east coast of Taiwan, at the same time as Taiwan was carrying out live-fire exercises. The weapons fired in the test include Harpoon missiles, Patriot PAC-2 missiles, and the Standard Missile-1.
On Thursday, the Congressional Research Service released a report indicating that North Korea is currently striving to build nuclear-capable missiles that can defeat U.S-made ballistic missile defense systems. The report highlights recent missile tests in North Korea and advances in solid-propellants and satellite guidance systems as evolving threats to the U.S and allies.
Also on Thursday, it was reported that the Missile Defense Agency awarded Boeing a three year, $150 million contract modification to produce four additional boost vehicles for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system. Boeing manages the program in Huntsville, Alabama, while the work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona.
On Friday, the Army said the service will look to industry for input on Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) prior to publishing official requirements. Under Secretary of the Army James McPherson stated that a partnership with industry in order to determine some of the characteristics of JADC2 was important to establishing the new architecture.
Also on Friday, it was reported that negotiations between the German government, Lockheed Martin, and MBDA over the TLVS missile defense system were still ongoing. The development of TLVS has evolved into a highly ambitious project, with aspirations including a ramp for defense against hypersonic missiles.
On Sunday, three missiles exploded near the U.S embassy in Baghdad. According to the Iraqi military, the attack was repelled by American anti-missile systems, but one missile did fall on protesting civilians, injuring a child.
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