MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS January 26 - February 1, 2021 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch The Missile Defense Mondays Video On Monday, it was announced that Australia is planning to increase development work in guided weapons systems under its Navy’s Project Sea 1300 program. The project will invest in anti-ship weapons and improved surface-to-air missiles, as well as further development in the SM-2 Block IIC and SM-6 Block I missiles. On Thursday, it was reported that the Russian Western Military District began a drill that saw over 3,500 servicemen and 600 vehicles practicing alarms and deployment. The vehicles included Tornado-G artillery and Iskander-M missile systems as well as the Buk-M3 missile air defense systems. Also on Thursday, it was reported that Russia deployed its Bastion anti-ship missile launcher to its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. The launcher was made combat-ready and is set to be tested in an upcoming joint exercise with the Black Sea Fleet’s Frigate. On Friday, it was reported that China had deployed 16 Dong Feng-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile launchers to its Qingzhou training site in Shandong province. This development comes less than a week after 26 PLA aircraft simulated missile attacks on a nearby U.S. aircraft carrier during an incursion in the south-western corner of Taiwan’s air defense zone over the course of two days. On Monday, it was announced that the Israel Missile Defense Organization and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems had successfully completed a series of flight tests of its upgraded Iron Dome air-defense system. The tests, which involved both the Israeli Navy and Air Force tested the system’s responses to a series of potential land and sea threats prior to the system’s slated deployment this year. Also on Monday, it was reported Iran conducted a test launch of its new three-stage Zoljanah hybrid solid-liquid fueled space launch vehicle (SLV). The Zoljanah is reportedly designed to put a 220 kg payload into a 500 km orbit and can be launched from a mobile launcher. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS It's For Real Over Riyadh For the second time in a three-day span, the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces and its coalition partners have intercepted a missile/drone shot over the skies of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia that houses over 7.6 million residents. On January 26th two loud explosions and a small plume of smoke above...  Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Dong Feng-26 The DF-26 is a solid-fueled intermediate range ballistic missile with a range of 3,000-4,000km. It is road-mobile, consists of two stages, and is designed for surface-to-surface operations. However, the missile reportedly has capabilities as an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) as well, targeting medium and large... Learn more about DF-26. Iskander-M (SS-26) The Iskander (SS-26 Stone) began development in the early 1970s to replace the Scud-B, however, its development was accelerated to replace the SS-23 Spider, which Russia retired in 1988 because of restrictions mandated by the INF Treaty. There are two versions of the missile, the Iskander-M and the Iskander-E... Learn more about the Iskander-M. SeaRAM Anti-Ship Missile Defense System The SeaRAM Anti-Ship Missile Defense System is a sea-based self-defense weapon that protects naval ships from supersonic and subsonic threats. These threats include cruise missiles, drones, and enemy aircraft, as well as small boats. The range of the SeaRAM is...  Learn more about the SeaRAM. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Captain Kevin Nelson Capt Nelson is Chief of Operations Support, Mission Assurance and a Crew Commander in the Missile Warning Operations Center 213th Space Warning Squadron, Clear Air Force Station (AFS), Alaska. Capt Nelson exercises operational control of a $250 million (AN/FPS-123) phased-array radar. Capt Nelson supports missile warning threat assessment for North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) and Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and Space Domain Awareness for the Joint Space Operations Center. Capt Nelson has excelled as a Crew Commander, commanding 46 flawless shifts. He was responsible for reporting two foreign ICBM valid site reports, tracking & cataloging 1.5K satellites, supporting eight foreign satellite maneuvers, and reacting to 30 Period Of Interest alerts. His exceptional knowledge and leadership were influential in being chosen for Officer In Charge of Operations Support Flight and primary Point Of Contact for squadron Operations Mission Assurance responsibilities. Capt Nelson enlisted into the Alaska Air National Guard in July 1997. After completing Air Force Basic Military Training, he attended the Security Forces Apprentice Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in 1998. Capt Nelson departed the Air National Guard after completing his initial enlistment in order to focus on his civilian law enforcement career. He Reenlisted in May 2009 and rejoined the 168th Security Forces Squadron, serving as a security forces apprentice. In October 2009, he was selected for commissioning as the unit’s operations officer and subsequently became the commander from June 2012 – December 2016. He graduated the Academy of Military Science at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in December 2010 and graduated from the Security Forces Basic Officer Course at Camp Bullis, Texas, in December 2011. Capt Nelson has deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Fold Border, Air Force Longevity Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 “M” Device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol), Air Force Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Alaska State Service Medal. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2020 Alaska Missile Defender of the Year. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Saudis Expanding US Military Access to Airfields, Port, to Counter Iran - 1/26/2021 - Defense One Australia invests in advanced maritime weapons, minehunters - 1/27/2021 - Defense News Tobyhanna Takes on Navy Missile Defense System Workload - 1/27/2021 - Military Spot South confident of missile defense against North - 1/28/2021 - The Korea Herald NPS Railgun Lab propels technology leaders, alumnus into award-winning research - 1/28/2021 - EurekAlert! Science News Biden Must Prioritize Missile Defense - 1/28/2021 - Defense One Top Navy Intel Officer Hopes China Will Keep Dumping Money Into Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles - 1/29/2021 - The Drive THREAT NEWS South China Sea: Chinese military deploys ballistic missile’s launchers for training - 1/26/2021 - South China Morning Post Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh - 1/26/2021 - Al Arabiya English ‘U.S. regional presence in Iran’s sights amid recent military drills’ - 1/27/2021 - Anadolu Agency Iran Threatens to Take Out Tel Aviv if Israel Follows Through With New Military Plans - 1/28/2021 - Newsweek Drills involving 3,500 servicemen kick off in six regions of Russia - 1/28/2021 - Tass Two US Destroyers Enter Black Sea; Russia Responds - 1/29/2021 - Breaking Defense Russia’s Zircon Missile Tests To End In 2021 With Submarine Launches – Defense Ministry - 1/29/2021 - Urdu Point Russia deploys anti-ship missile launcher in annexed Crimea - 1/29/2021 - 112.international Chinese warplanes simulated attacking US carrier near Taiwan - 1/30/2021 - Financial Times Missile brigades of Russian Ground forces to interact with Navy - 1/30/2021 - Army Recognition OTHER NEWS Biden Wants to Extend America’s Nuclear Treaty With Russia - 1/26/2021 - Popular Mechanics New Generation AKASH Variant (NG) Test Demonstrates Improved Air Defense Capability - 1/26/2021 - Defense Update  U.S. panel advises against banning AI weapon development - 1/28/2021 - Army Technology SPACECOM’s New Vision Targets ‘Space Superiority’ - 1/30/2021 - Breaking Defense 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!