MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS April 6 - April 12, 2021 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch the Missile Defense Mondays Video On Tuesday, it was announced that the Russian Navy had performed a test-fire of the long-range Kalibr cruise missile. The launch is the first from the Sea of Japan and the missile successfully hit its target at a range of 1,000 kilometers. On Wednesday, it was reported that two Chinese military vessels had been detected off the coast of Orchid Island, near Taiwan’s air-defense identification zone. This came as Taiwan began a three-day missile test on the island that same day. On Saturday, it was reported that Russian Iskander missiles have been seen moving towards the Ukrainian border. The reportedly deployed Iskander missile systems are capable of carrying the Iskander-M, Iskander-K, and SSC-8 missiles. On Sunday, it was reported that the Saudi-led coalition had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile launched towards the city of Jazan. That same day, the coalition additionally intercepted a Houthi-launched explosive-laden drone. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Riveting and Pivoting Yesterday, the Japanese Defense Ministry announced that the Chinese Navy had maneuvered an aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels between the Okinawa and Miyako Islands. This provocative action is the most recent escalation in the western Pacific by China after air defense identification zones... Click here to read more. 75 Days and Counting During its first 75 days, President Biden’s administration has been probed, challenged, tested, and deceived with malign intent at unpredictable frequencies. The risks of strategic surprise are high, and the margins for strategic error are thin. The global threats posed by China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and...  Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES 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 Iskander-M. Hypersonic Weapons Basics Hypersonic weapons incorporate the speed of a ballistic missile with the maneuvering capabilities of a cruise missile. Hypersonic weapons refer to weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (~3,800mph) and have the capability to maneuver during the entire flight. As a pentagon report stated, “While the designed speed of the... Learn more about Hypersonics Weapons. Turkey The 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. The Syrian civil conflict poses a threat to Turkish national security as rockets and shells... Learn more about Turkey. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Captain Taylor Pubins Capt Pubins is currently assigned to the Commander’s Action Group (CAG), Space Delta 4, Buckley Air Force Base (AFB), Colorado. Capt Pubins exhibited unparalleled expertise and leadership as the Deputy Chief, Overhead Persistent Infrared Mission Management Planning for the 460th Operational Support Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado. In his role, he directed a six member team and steered forty-eight payload operators in support of global infrared collection objectives. His tireless pursuit of innovation enabled him to develop a planning application suite that automates fifty-one mission critical tasks, slashing eighty-six man-hours per year. Additionally, Captain Pubins’ tactical proficiencies and mastery of the Systems Tool Kit facilitated essential upgrades to the unit’s mission planning tool, resulting in a thirty percent increase of infrared data through enhanced utilization of the Space-Based Infrared System sensors. Furthermore, he led a twelve member satellite anomaly team on three separate occasions where he developed fix actions and recovered failed satellite subsystems, assuring strategic missile warning well beyond the design life of the satellite. Captain Pubins’ dedication to excellence and professionalism permitted the world’s preeminent missile warning organization to exploit over four thousand surveillance tasks and thirty thousand infrared events, skillfully integrating the surveillance objectives for Combined Force Space Component Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and strategic Allies. Capt Pubins enlisted from Phoenix, Arizona in May 2010 and completed Defense Information School in October 2010. His first assignment was as a Combat Broadcast Journalist at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. In 2011, he was awarded a spot at the Air Force Academy’s Preparatory School and began studies as a United States Air Force Academy Cadet in June 2012. Cadet Pubins graduated with Dean’s List Academic Honors and upon departure, was awarded a B.S. in Business Management Sciences. His first assignment as a Commissioned Officer was at Buckley AFB where he served the 2d Space Warning Squadron as a Mission Management Operator, the 460th Operational Support Squadron as the Deputy Chief of Mission Management and Plans, and currently as the CAG for the newly established Space Delta 4 under the United States Space Force. He has six years of active service with four years of Academy time. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2020 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Destroyer USS John Finn completes busy maiden patrol of Indo-Pacific region - 4/6/2021 - Stars and Stripes Joint Force Vs. China: Project Convergence 21 - 4/6/2021 - Breaking Defense Keel laying for USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. - 4/7/2021 - Navy Recognition U.S. Army Under Secretary gets Soldier-focused look at PEO Missiles and Space modernization programs - 4/7/2021 - DVIDS MDA briefs Kaua‘i Council on proposed Hawai‘i defense radar - 4/8/2021 - The Garden Island Rep. Kahele tours Kaua‘i, meets nonprofits, talks proposed Radar system - 4/9/2021 - The Garden Island Iron Dome developers set the record straight on its evolution - 4/9/2021 - The Jerusalem Post AMCOM 101 for Missiles focuses on enabling readiness in Army missile units - 4/9/2021 - DVIDS Turkey Confirms U.S. Destroyers Are Headed For The Black Sea Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis - 4/12/2021 - The Drive Saudi-led coalition intercepts explosive-laden drones launched by Yemen’s Houthis – state TV - 4/9/2021 - Reuters Preparation pays off: Greely welcomes Rotational Forces from California National Guard - 4/12/2021 - The United States Army THREAT NEWS Russia Conducts First Pacific Long-Range Cruise Missile Test - 4/6/2021 - Moscow Times Chinese military vessels detected near Taiwan missile test areas - 4/7/2021 - Focus Taiwan New “hypersonic missile technology” college created at North Korea’s national defense university - 4/7/2021 - Daily NK Russia Moves Ground Troops, Ballistic Missile Systems Near Ukraine Border – British Analysts - 4/12/2021 - Moscow Times N. Korea preparing to launch ballistic missile submarine: report - 4/12/2021 - The Korea Herald OTHER NEWS U.S. Hits Turkey with Sanctions Over Russian S-400 Missile System - 4/6/2021 - Greek Reporter China builds advanced weapons systems using American chip technology - 4/7/2021 - Washington Post U.S. And Chinese Carrier Groups Mass In The South China Sea - 4/12/2021 - The Drive Russian military buildup in the Arctic has northern NATO members uneasy - 4/12/2021 - Defense News Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Customer Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!