THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE

August 24 - August 30, 2019

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

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On Saturday, North Korea tested its new large caliber Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Kim Jong Un oversaw the test launch. Kim was pleased with the launch, calling the MLRS a “great weapon.” Washington maintains that the launches are not a barrier to diplomacy and further negotiations.

Also on Saturday, General Hossein Salami – the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard – said it successfully test fired a new missile. He did not give any further details on the weapon or the test. Iran often exaggerates new missile capabilities. News of the launch came through the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard.

Additionally on Saturday, Russia test fired a Bulava missile – its newest solid fueled submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) – from the Yuri Dolgoruky submarine and a Sineva missile – a liquid fueled SLBM – from the Tula submarine as part of combat training in the Barents Sea – a polar region of the Arctic Ocean.

On Sunday, Houthi rebels fired ten Badr-1 ballistic missiles at Jizan airport, located in Southwest Saudi Arabia, and Houthis claimed it resulted in the death and injury of dozens. Saudi Arabian officials stated Saudi missile defense systems intercepted six ballistic missiles. The attack is part of an increase in cross-border assaults in the conflict..

On Monday, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman helped the Army with a flight test aimed to demonstrate the performance of Northrop’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System. Lockheed deployed its PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) hit-to-kill interceptor to destroy a drone used to represent a cruise missile. The PAC-3 CRI intercepted the air-breathing threat at a record distance.

On Tuesday, the State Department approved over $4.2 billion worth of weapons sales to Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Lithuania, and South Korea. The largest was Japan’s purchase of 73 SM-3 Block IIA missiles with a price of $3.295 billion. Hungary is spending $500 million for 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles.

On Thursday, it was reported an Iranian Safir Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) blew up at the Khomeini Space Center. Images show smoke billowing from the pad where the SLV blew up. The accident likely occurred during the prep phase, either from fueling or an electrical shortage. This is the third failure this year with the previous two in January and February.

Also, on Thursday, China reported it will hold a parade showcasing its most advanced weapons, like the DF-41 ICBM and J-2 SLBM, on October 1st. The parade is part of the 70th National Day, the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Additionally on Thursday, President Trump authorized the creation of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM). President Trump has nominated Air Force General John Raymond, who previously commanded the Air Force’s Space Command, to be the commander of SPACECOM.

Click here to read all of the headlines from the week.

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MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES

Standard Missile-3

The Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) is a derivative of the RIM-156 Standard SM-2 Block IV missile, and is the interceptor component of the U.S. Navy theater ballistic missile defense system, called NTW-TBMD (Navy Theater Wide – Theater Ballistic Missile Defense). It is an upper-tier (exo-atmospheric) ballistic

Learn more about the SM-3

Japan

Japanese involvement in missile defense dates back to the deployment of the Nike-J missile, a conventionally tipped version of the Hercules missile, which was the result of a Memorandum of Understanding that was finalized in 1967. A team from the Japan Defense Agency successfully flight-tested the...

Learn more about Japan

SS-N-30 Bulava

Russia’s 3M-14 Bulava ballistic missile is the submarine-launched variant of the SS-27 Topol-M. The Bulava, which represents the pinnacle of Russian ballistic missile technology, can hold 10 warheads with each warhead having a yield of approximately 550 kt.

Learn more about Bulava Missile

MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Captain Kurtiss Clark

CPT Clark is the Senior Tactical Director for Bravo Crew in the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Ft. Greely, Alaska. CPT Clark joined Bravo Crew in 2018, bringing with him a wealth of experience that allowed him to quickly foster an environment of tactical and technical expertise amongst his crew. His mentality for developing Soldiers made Bravo Crew the most sought-after crew for training recent Ground-based Midcourse Qualification Course graduates. His exemplary performance, high standards, focus, and dedication to training were essential in Bravo Crew achieving recognition as the Battalion's "Top Crew" for 2018. CPT Clark is a native of Urbana, Illinois. He enlisted in 1985 as a Cannon Crewmember and went to One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon graduating OSUT, he was assigned to Bravo Battery, 2/6 Field Artillery in Hanau, Germany. After serving with Howitzer Battery, 3/3 Armored Calvary Regiment in Fort Bliss, Texas, CPT Clark transitioned to the Army Reserve where he served as a Paralegal NCO. Following the attacks on 9/11, CPT Clark was mobilized as a Legal Assistance NCO at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 2004, CPT Clark accepted a position with the 100th Missile Defense Brigade as a Paralegal NCO. In 2007, he commissioned through Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy and went on to serve as a Current Operations Officer with Bravo Crew at the 100th Missile Brigade. He took command of Detachment 1 in Vandenberg Air Force Base before returning to the 100th Missile Defense Brigade. He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University as well as a Master's degree in Project Management from Columbia Southern University. CPT Clark's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with both Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp and Two Loops, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, NCO Professional Development Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon. CPT Clark has also been awarded the Basic Army Space Badge.