MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS April 19 - 25, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Thursday, April 21, Russia test launched a Sarmat ICBM that traveled more than 3,500 miles and struck mock targets on the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. Referred to as the "Satan 2", the ICBM is capable of carrying nuclear payloads and hypersonic glide vehicles. The test comes as Russian nuclear forces have been on high alert status since late February. President Putin bragged that the missile "has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defense." Also on Thursday, April 21, China launched its “YJ-21” or “Eagle Strike 21” hypersonic anti-ship missile, said to be designed to target aircraft carriers, in what seems to be a show of Beijing's naval capabilities and a warning to the US Navy. The display of naval power came ahead of the Chinese navy’s 73rd anniversary last weekend. In a video clip of the apparent launch, the YJ-21 is shown being launched from a Type 055 vessel, a guided-missile destroyer said to be the largest, most advanced destroyer in China’s fleet. On Friday, April 22, the US became the first country to announce a ban on missile tests against space satellites. US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, said such tests were reckless. The US, China, India and Russia have all carried them out and have generated space debris in doing so. She said stopping the direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing will safeguard satellites in low-Earth orbit and she urged other nations to follow suit. Additionally on Friday, the US announced the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense J7 Directorate and its Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Center, or JBTEC would provide training to Baltic States' military members at the Estonia Control and Reporting Center in Tallinn, Estonia. The training audience included members of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Air Forces. On Saturday, April 23, at least eight people were killed when two cruise missiles struck a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said. At least 18 were wounded in the strike, according to Andriy Yermak, the head of the presidential administration. He said a three-month-old baby was among the dead. Saturday’s attack was carried out by a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber flying over the Caspian Sea, according to a statement by Ukraine’s southern air defense forces. It said the bomber fired six cruise missiles, two of which were taken out by a Ukrainian missile defense system. Last week, President Biden's secretary of state and Pentagon chief completed a secrecy-shrouded trip to Kyiv. In the highest-level American visit to the capital since Russia invaded in late February, top envoy Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Ukraine's president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, and his advisers that the U.S. would provide more than $300 million in foreign military financing and had approved a $165 million sale of ammunition. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS Make or Break NATO During the devastating and horrific times of crisis, areas of vulnerabilities are exposed and exploited. Russia has recognized and taken advantage of integrated air and missile defense vulnerabilities within NATO. With daily attacks, indiscriminate killings and mass destruction in... Click here to read more. Semper Supra - MDAA's Military Space Fellowship The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance is honored to announce the establishment of its first Military Space Fellowship. The Military Space Fellowship will bring expertise to MDAA that will incorporate the ever-increasing importance of space... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Ukrainian War Updates Track the number and type of missiles used in the Ukrainian war, the number of casualties, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the conflict in Ukraine. Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) As a part of the 2019 Missile Defense Review (MDR), the Trump Administration called for studies into space-based sensor systems. The Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) is the product of that research and the need... Click here to read more about the HBTSS MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Specialist John Freund SPC Freund is currently assigned as an Avenger Gunner for Avenger Team 3, 1st Platoon, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. SPC Freund demonstrates his vast knowledge on the Avenger Weapon System by performing extensive VIP briefs. SPC Freund performs rigorous Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services of the Avenger Weapons System to ensure it is fully mission capable at all times. Team 3 consistently performs at a level above their peers and utilizes their knowledge to mentor other teams. During Avenger certification table V in January 2022, Team 3 finished as the top team in missile reload, Avenger emplacement, and convert to Man-Portable Air Defense Systems. Team 3 consistently finishes near the top in all categories and displays the determination and attention to detail that sets them apart. Team 3 has been recognized for having an outstanding site brief and displaying a professional demeanor on multiple occasions in the National Capital Region. SPC Freund enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 2018 and has completed Basic Combat Lifesavers Course. He has been previously assigned as a Team Member as part of the Covid-19 Task Force and an Avenger Crewmember 188th ADA Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. SPC Freund’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, North Dakota State Achievement Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Service Medal. SPC Freund Currently lives in Coon Rapids Minnesota.  Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 National Capital Region Air and Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Lockheed Martin proposes multi-layer space network for missile defense - SpaceNews - 4/19/2022 U.S. missile defense training in the Baltics - DVIDS - 4/22/2022 THREAT NEWS Turkish-made drones likely involved in Moskva sinking - Nikkei Asia - 4/19/2022 Putin test-launches ‘Satan 2’ nuclear missile to make West ‘think twice’ - The New York Post - 4/21/2022 Chinese navy shows off hypersonic anti-ship missiles in public - South China Morning Post - 4/21/2022 Missiles hit a residential neighborhood in Odesa, killing at least eight, officials say - New York Times - 4/25/2022 OTHER NEWS US bans anti-satellite missile tests - BBC News - 4/22/2022 Secretary of state, Pentagon chief arrive in Kyiv - Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette - 4/25/2022 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!