MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS October 20 - October 26, 2020 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch The Missile Defense Mondays Video On Monday, the U.S. Navy successfully tested the launch of an SM-2 interceptor from the USS Zumwalt. The USS Zumwalt is the first-in-class stealth destroyer for the Navy and the SM-2 intercepted a mock anti-ship cruise missile. Also on Monday, it was reported the Chinese H-6N bomber was spotted carrying a suspected hypersonic cruise missile while landing at an airfield. Analysts are divided on if the booster is an air-launched ballistic missile or air-launched cruise missile, but seemed to agree the warhead closely resembles the DF-17’s hypersonic glide vehicle. On Tuesday, the Israel Air Force successfully struck an underground Hamas target in Gaza following the intercept of a rocket fired from the same area. A few days later, on Thursday, Israel's defense system intercepted one of two missiles that had been fired from the Gaza Strip. Also on Tuesday, new satellite imaging indicated that Russia is preparing to resume missile test flights at its Pankovo test site. The site was used in November 2017 to test Russia’s Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, but testing from the Pankovo site had halted after 2018. On Wednesday, India's Navy performed a test of its Brahmos supersonic cruise missile variant. The test confirmed the Russian and Indian built missile as the most accurate and highest speed supersonic cruise missile currently in operation. Also on Wednesday, it was reported that a Patriot air defense battery appeared at Easterwood Airport in College Station, Texas. The setup of the battery was revealed to be part of a drill to test the ability for quick deployment of Patriot system in an emergency situation. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS The East Wind Blows In 1957, Chinese leader Mao Publicly claimed that the world was in a process of radical change, and advocated for the East Wind ‘Dong Feng’ to one day overpower the West Wind. Over the last few years, China’s hypersonic weapons arsenal has emerged as one of the most advanced in the world... Click here to read more. Alignment Numerous countries throughout the Indo-Pacific are reasserting their commitment to freely fly, sail, and operate where international law allows. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, an organization set up to settle disputes under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) The Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) is a fleet-area air defense weapon that provides anti-air warfare and limited anti-surface warfare capability against today’s advanced anti-ship missiles and aircraft. With a range of 90 nautical miles and an altitude of 65,000 feet... Learn more about SM-2. Republic of Korea The geostrategic position of the Republic of Korea (ROK/South Korea) is difficult given its proximity to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK/North Korea), which may be fast approaching ballistic missile program readiness – as well as developing a weapons of mass destruction program... Learn more about South Korea. Cruise Missile Basics Cruise missiles, although similar to ballistic missiles in some regards, provide an alternate means to deliver a lethal payload rapidly and accurately to a target. Cruise missiles differ from ballistic missiles in that they fly towards their target at lower altitudes, remaining within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout their trajectory... Learn more about Cruise Missiles. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Major Karlton Wolf Maj Wolf is an Air Battle Manager assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He is currently working as an Air Surveillance Officer aboard the E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control platform with the 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron. Maj Wolf currently performs duties at the 611th Air Operations Center as the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Branch Chief; Defense Duty Officer for Command & Control; Reconnaissance Duty Officer; and Joint Interface Control Officer. Maj Wolf started his career in the Air Force in 1999 as a Medical Technician before earning his commission in 2006. As an Officer, he has worked aboard the E-3 Sentry, at a Control and Reporting Center, and at an Air Operations Center deploying three times to United States Central Command supporting counter-terrorism operations and once to United States Southern Command supporting counter-drug operations. Additionally, Maj Wolf has done research as well as developmental and operational testing in Radar and Data Link Operations for the Air Force. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2020 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS The Navy’s Stealth Destroyer Has Fired A Missile For The First Time - 10/20/20 - The Drive Joint training strengthens air defense capability - 10/20/20 - U.S. Air Force JFCC IMD airmen transfer to U.S. Space Force - 10/21/20 - U.S. Air Force Israel Strikes Hamas Target After Gaza Rocket Intercepted – 10/21/2020 – Haaretz.com Transcript: Strengthening US alliances and partnerships with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper – 10/21/2020 – Atlantic Council The United States will improve the missile defense system to confront Russia and China – 10/21/2020 – Pledge Times SpaceX teams with Microsoft for Space Development Agency contract – 10/21/2020 – Space News Tri-nation naval exercises held in South China Sea - 10/21/2020 - Taipei Times Non-weapon materials brought into THAAD base after dispersal of protesters – 10/22/2020 – Yonhap News Agency Patriot Missile Battery Suddenly Appears At Small Regional Airport In Texas – 10/22/2020 – The Drive Congress holds the key to outpacing North Korea’s nuclear capabilities – 10/22/2020 – The Hill Sea-based missile defense may cost Japan double price of Aegis Ashore – 10/22/2020 - Japan Times NATO Set To Approve German Space Center Amid Concern Over Russian, Chinese Moves – 10/22/2020 – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty THREAT NEWS Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems to get new guided missiles - 10/20/20 - Army Recognition Video: China’s New H-6N Bomber Spotted Armed With New Hypersonic Cruise Missile - 10/20/20 - Sputnik International Satellite images indicate Russia is preparing to resume testing its nuclear-powered cruise missile - 10/20/20 - CNN Iran Planning Massive Air Defense Drill - 10/21/20 - Eurasia Review Israeli Defense Intercepts 1 of 2 Missiles Fired from Gaza - 10/23/20 - Voice of America OTHER NEWS Video: Indian Navy test fires supersonic Brahmos Missile – 10/21/2020 – American Military News Report to Congress on New START Treaty – 10/22/2020 – USNI News S-400 not to be integrated into NATO systems, Defense Minister Akar says – 10/22/2020 – Daily Sabah Raymond: Space Force has a plan to unify acquisition agencies – 10/23/2020 - Space News Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About our service provider Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!