THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE

October 19 - October 25, 2019

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

Click Here to Watch This Week in Missile Defense Video

On Wednesday, a live fire military exercise dubbed Slavic Shield 2019 began in Serbia. A Russian S-400 missile defense division is taking part in the drill. It is the first time the sophisticated S-400 and a Pantsir missile battery is participating in an exercise abroad. It is set to run until October 29th.

Also on Wednesday, Russia completed S-400 missile defense system deliveries to Turkey ahead of schedule and the two sides are in talks for another deal. Turkey has received two batteries of the advanced, Russian made system so far. The deliveries were set to continue through April 2020.

Additionally on Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey could still buy American Patriot missiles. He also expects disagreements over the F-35 fighter jet will be overcome. Washington removed Ankara from the joint F-35 program after Turkey received S-400 missile defense systems.

On Thursday, the Barak-8 Extended Range (ER) system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries became operational. The Barak-8ER adds to Israel’s capability to protect itself from cruise missiles. The ER version also has enhanced anti-tactical ballistic missile capabilities and high immunity to electronic countermeasures.

On Friday, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the Patriot air defense system deployed in southern Turkey’s Incirlik Base could remain for six months in 2020 at Ankara’s request despite speculation Spain may withdraw the missiles over Turkey’s counterterrorism operation in northern Syria.

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

MDAA ALERTS

Silent Warriors

Last Friday night, we were honored to host MDAA’s first inaugural National Capital Region (NCR) Air and Missile Defender of the Year (DOY) award ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia to commemorate the very best excellence and leadership from the National Guard responsible for defending the U.S. capital...

Click here to read more.

MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES

S-400 Triumf Air Defense System

The S-400 Triumf is a mobile medium- and long-range air defense system. The S-400 began development in the 1990s and was first deployed in 2007. The system uses four different types of interceptors to destroy various airborne targets and also has the capability to use some S-300 legacy missiles.The first interceptor is the...

Learn more about the S-400.

Spain

Spain’s geographic location sits on the border of Europe and Africa. Primary threats to Spain include failed and failing states in North Africa, as well as terrorists operating in the region. The country joined NATO in 1982 and has cooperated with the U.S. in the framework of the U.S.-Spain Missile Defense Technical Group.

Learn more about Spain.

Barak 8

The Barak 8 Air and Missile Defense system (Barak 8), also known as the LRSAM, is a medium-range ship-borne air defense system. The system includes a battle management, command, control, communication, and intelligence center (BMC4I); vertical launch system with Barak 8 interceptors...

Learn more about the Barak 8.

MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Staff Sergeant Jake Harris

SSgt Harris is the Mission Management Operations (MMO) - Noncommissioned Officer in Charge assigned to the Standardization and Evaluation Section, 460th Operations Group at Buckley AFB, Colorado. He is responsible for providing standardization and evaluation of 43 payload sensor operators among four squadrons ensuring crew mission readiness of the $32.2 billion Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). Additionally, SSgt Harris serves as an advisor to the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation on matters affecting current and future SBIRS operational procedures. He developed and taught operational guidance for the new $1.4B SBIRS satellite, which directly contributed to the 38% reduction rate of operational errors. SSgt Harris aided in the SBIRS 3-1 Weapons and Tactics guidance re-write which dramatically increased missile warning operations and the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) that enabled SBIRS the ability to operate in a contested, degraded, and operationally limited environment. Additionally, SSgt Harris optimized SBIRS missile warning fidelity by directing over 110K commands, maximizing satellite missions for six combatant commands and ensuring uninterrupted missile warning to 120K downrange personnel. As the MMO cell lead, he directed a 32-man team during 44 mission plans and debriefs for the planning and execution of 759 satellite taskings for infrared and high-profile missile events. SSgt Harris enlisted in the Air Force in February 2014 and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas followed by Enlisted Undergraduate Space Training at Vandenberg AFB, California. Upon completion he was assigned to the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colorado where he operated the legacy SBIRS Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) constellation. His efforts were vital in the SBIRS transfer of operations to the next generation $662M Block 10 upgrade. SSgt Harris was reassigned as an MMO to 2d Space Warning Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado.

Click here to view the winners from the 2019 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year.

NEWS

MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS

The U.S. Army Has Big Plans to Smash Enemy Drones in a War – 10/22/2019 – The National Interest

Raytheon nabs $128M Air Force contract for Cobra King, Gray Star radars – 10/23/2019 – Space Daily

Russia and Turkey in talks about extra deliveries of S-400 missile systems: Ifax – 10/23/2019 - Reuters

Turkey: Which countries export arms to Turkey? – 10/23/2019 - BBC

Israel Boasts New Operational Cruise Missile Defense – 10/24/2019 – Breaking Defense

Turkey could buy US Patriot missiles, Defense Minister Akar says – 10/24/2019 – Daily Sabah

Russia sends S-400 missile defense systems to Serbia for military drill – 10/24/2019 - Reuters

South Korea’s missile detection failure shows need for cooperation with Japan – 10/25/2019 – Defense News

US Diplomat To Speak On Trump Missile Defense Policy In Dresden – State Department – 10/25/2019

Kratos Receives $5.1 Million in C5ISR Program Production Awards – 10/25/2019 - GlobeNewswire

Russia to Help China Develop an Early Warning System – 10/25/2019 – The Diplomat

THREAT NEWS

The U.S. Military Would Lose to Russian Hypersonic Missiles – 10/21/2019 – The National Interest

US urges Japan towards military readiness to balance China threat – 10/22/2019 – Taiwan News

OTHER NEWS

U.S., RUSSIA AND EUROPE HOLD BACK-TO-BACK NUCLEAR WAR GAMES ACROSS THE GLOBE – 10/21/2019 - Newsweek

Russian nuclear submarine aborts ballistic missile test – 10/21/2019 – Reuters

U.S. Navy admiral hails China’s professionalism in disputed South China Sea – 10/21/2019 – The Japan Times

EuroDASS Unveils Plans for Enhanced Typhoon Protection – 10/22/2019 – AIN Online

Moon Reveals Dual-Track N. Korea Approach for 2nd Half – 10/22/2019 – KBS WORLD Radio

Scary vision of all-out war between China and the US – 10/22/2019 – News.com.au

Russia warns Syrian Kurdish YPG to pull back as its forces move in – 10/23/2019 – Reuters

Pentagon chief to focus on Turkey, Syria at NATO, but short on options – 10/24/2019 – Reuters

Army Pushes 600 Programs From Acquisition To Sustainment – 10/24/2019 – Breaking Defense

Stratcom Nominee: Nuclear Triad Modernization Must Continue – 10/25/2019 – U.S. Dept. of Defense

New air defense threats mean new equipment and new ways of defending – 10/21/2019 – Army Times

Defense Secretary Esper to urge NATO to pay more to protect Saudi Arabia from Iran – 10/23/2019 – Military Times

Patriots at Incirlik Base can remain for 6 months more in 2020, Spanish defense minister says – 10/25/2019 – Daily Sabah

IDF unveils ‘Momentum Plan’ to make it deadlier and faster, if it can pay for it – 10/25/2019 – The Times of Israel

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