MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 18 - May 24, 2021 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch the Missile Defense Mondays Video On Tuesday, it was announced that the U.S. Space Force had successfully launched the fifth Space-Based Infrared System satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The satellite was launched in geosynchronous orbit and is the fifth of six in the infrared tracking system. Also on Tuesday, it was announced that the USS Curtis Wilbur had sailed through the Taiwan Strait. This comes just a day after the People’s Liberation Army Air Force entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone for the tenth time in May. On Thursday, it was reported that DARPA is likely to demo only 2 different payloads for its Blackjack program. The payloads are expected to carry, respectively, a communications and geolocation radiofrequency system and an overhead persistent infrared missile warning system. On Friday, it was reported that Russian state trials of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile are set to begin in June. This comes at the same time as it was reported that India will receive its first deliveries of the S-400 anti-aircraft surface-to-air missile system from Russia later this year. Also on Friday, it was reported that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force had performed a test of its upgraded HQ-9 air-defense missile system. The exercise involved multiple combat units and attempts to confuse the system, with the system taking down four target drones. Also on Friday, it was reported that the U.S. Army is in talks with Israel to purchase additional Iron Dome air defense systems. This would add to the two Iron Dome systems that the U.S. Army purchased in 2019 and saw delivered over the past year. Also on Friday, it was announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded a contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build the future USS Congress (FFG 63). The future USS Congress will be the second Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate for the U.S. Navy. On Sunday, it was reported that Romania is set to field the newest version of the U.S. Patriot air and missile defense system. This will make Romania the first country to field the upgraded system and comes amid increased NATO concerns about security in the Black Sea. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES United Kingdom The United Kingdom is one of the nine countries possessing nuclear weapons. It is a very stable partner and supporter of U.S. security and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Britain is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance with the US. In 2003, the Framework Memorandum of... Learn more about the United Kingdom. Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is designed to support the defense and intelligence communities and provide global surveillance capabilities in four key mission areas: missile defense, missile warning, technical intelligence, and battlespace awareness... Learn more about SBIRS. Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) The Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) is the initiative to replace the current domain and control systems with one that connects the existing sensors and shooters and distribute the available data to all domains (sea, air, land, cyber, and space) and forces... Learn more about JADC2. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Colonel Chris Matthews COL Matthews was commissioned via ROTC as an Air Defense Artillery (ADA) (PATRIOT) officer from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1996). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University (2007), and a Masters Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College (2018). Prior to his commission, he served as a Patriot Missile Crewmember (16T) in Dexheim, Germany and Fort Lewis, Washington from 1990-1992. He has contributed to the success of Air and Missile Defense for 30 years. COL Matthews’ 30 years of service as an Army Air Defenders includes duty assignments with 4-7 ADA Battalion, 31st ADA Brigade, Extended Air Defense Task Force (EADTF), 69th ADA Brigade, HQDA G-1 Army Staff, 6th ADA Brigade, 2-1 HBCT, Supreme Allied Command Transformation-Staff Element Europe, 30th ADA Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). During this service, COL Matthews has contributed to the successful defense of Turkey, Kuwait, and Israel during various deployments. He advised the Central Command Area Air Defense Commander on the Patriot and Aegis missile defense of Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. COL Matthews has also advised 9th Iraqi Division Logistics, Transportation, and Maintenance officers; oversaw training of Iraqi soldiers on integrated fires, range operations, and medical procedures. Additionally, COL Matthews planned and managed the transition of the Air Defense Artillery school from Fort Bliss, Texas to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He has prepared the USNORTHCOM Commander and Director of Operations for engagements with the President and Congressional members; oversaw USNORTHCOM operational needs development for Next Generation Interceptor and layered homeland defense; and conducted multiple engagements with defense industry to advocate for missile defense and be an ambassador for USNORTHCOM’s defense of the homeland strategy. COL Matthews is currently assigned to USNORTHCOM as the Chief, Ballistic Missile Defense Division and is a lifetime member of the Air Defense Artillery Association. COL Matthews was born in Clinton, North Carolina. His operational assignments include Operations Desert Storm (1991); Southern Watch (1998); Iraqi Freedom I (2003); New Dawn (2010-2011); and Freedoms Sentinel (2016-2017). COL Matthews’ awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. COL Matthews is married to the former Chandris (Shawn) Harrison of Atlanta, Georgia. They have three children and one grandchild: Joshualin, Savon, Malik and Kai respectively. 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 Internal partners engage in missile defense exercise - 5/18/2021 - DVIDS Iron Dome intercepts drone during combat for first time, says Israeli military - 5/18/2021 - Defense News Military brings construction materials, daily necessaries onto THAAD base - 5/18/2021 - The Korea Herald MDA Releases Draft RFP for Missile Defense Integration, Test, & Readiness Support - 5/18/2021 - GovCon Wire U.S. Sixth Fleet and STRIKFORNATO Commence Complex Air and Missile Defense Exercise - 5/18/2021 - U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet MDA to Develop Next Generation Space-Based Hypersonic Weapon Sensors - 5/18/2021 - Executive Gov MDA: Test of DDG, Standard Missile-3 IIA a Good Start, But More Work Needed on Homeland Defense Mission - 5/18/2021 - USNI News NATO warships start major air and missile defence exercise - 5/20/2021 - NATO News After more than a decade, agency to retire experimental missile warning satellites - 5/20/2021 - C4ISRNET Will 2021 Be the Year JADC2 Takes Off? - 5/20/2021 - Defense One U.S. Army tackles enduring system to counter both drone and cruise missile threats - 5/20/2021 - Defense News Supersonic Target Vehicle Coyote Is Key for U.S. Navy Anti-Missile Defense - 5/20/2021 - Autoevolution U.S. Warship Again Sails Through Sensitive Taiwan Strait - 5/20/2021 - Voice of America Huntsville control center protects U.S. remotely using missile defenses on Kwajalien Atoll - 5/20/2021 - WHNT.com Atlas V rocket launches SBIRS Geo-5 missile warning satellite for U.S. Space Force - 5/20/2021 - Space.com U.S. Navy Exercises Option For Its Second Guided Missile Frigate - 5/21/2021 - Naval News Exclusive: DARPA ‘Likely’ To Demo Only 2 Blackjack Payloads - 5/21/2021 - Breaking Defense Paper: Sea-based missile defense double cost of land-based plan - 5/21/2021 - Asahi Shimbun Air National Guard units support Formidable Shield exercise - 5/21/2021 - Air National Guard U.S. Talks With Israel About Buying More Iron Dome Systems - 5/24/2021 - Breaking Defense Romania to field newest version of U.S. Patriot air defense missile system - 5/24/2021 - Army Recognition U.S. Air Force set to award $490M contract to counter small drones - 5/24/2021 - Defense News Military reaches out to villagers over hosting U.S. missile shield - 5/24/2021 - The Korea Herald Japan’s New “Aegis Equipped Ships”: What We Know So Far - 5/24/2021 - Naval News  THREAT NEWS China Makes Tenth Incursion Into Taiwan ADIZ in May - 5/18/2021 - The Defense Post The link between Iran and the missile arsenals in Gaza - 5/18/2021 - Jewish News Syndicate China’s media mouthpiece doubles down on threat of ‘missiles’ being launched at Australia - 5/20/2021 - 7NEWS.com.au Report on Chinese Nuclear and Missile Proliferation - 5/20/2021 - USNI News North Korea building MIRVS, tactical nukes - 5/20/2021 - The Washington Times Russia’s Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile To Start State Trials In June - 5/21/2021 - Naval News China puts upgraded HQ-9 missile system to extreme test - 5/21/2021 - South China Morning Post Russia Reportedly Developing New Hypersonic Missile ‘To Break Through Any Defense System’ - 5/21/2021 - UNILAD Iran Unveils New Air Defense Technologies - 5/24/2021 - Caspian News OTHER NEWS Russia will start supplying S-400 missile to India in Q4: Interfax news agency - 5/20/2021 - The Economic Times Russia Is Accelerating Its Own Link-Everything Network - 5/24/2021 - Defense News Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ MDAA | 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!