MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS May 17 - May 23, 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Monday, May 17, a satellite photo by Planet Labs revealed what could be a new Chinese nuclear-powered attack sub with a new stealthy propulsion system and launch tubes for cruise missiles. Additionally, on Monday, May 17, images were released of a senior Chinese military delegation, headed by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Gen. Wei Fenghe, landing in Iran for a visit in late April. While little information has been released about the engagement there are troubling trends, particularly concerning arms transfers; drone, dual-use, and missile technologies; and cyber and intelligence capabilities. Western policymakers are looking for ways to counter these advancements as nuclear talks between the P5 + 1 and Iran have stalled. Also on Monday, May 17, the United States Air Force said in a statement that it had conducted a successful test of a hypersonic weapon, which flew at five times the speed of sound. The test was conducted on May 14 off the coast of Southern California when a B-52 bomber released an Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, read the statement. On Thursday, May 18, a United States' intelligence assessment reported that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a possible intercontinental ballistic missile test within the next 48 to 96 hours, just as President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to Asia. Biden set off for South Korea on Thursday and will held meetings with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol before traveling to Japan on Sunday where he is meeting with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India. North Korea has conducted a number of ballistic missile tests this year, and US military and intelligence agencies assess Pyongyang may also be preparing for its first underground nuclear test in nearly five years. On Saturday, May 20, the United States announced another tranche of military and economic support is headed to Ukraine. The latest package includes 18 155 mm howitzers, 18 tactical vehicles to tow those howitzers, three AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars, and additional field equipment and spare parts. The new military aid will include $20 billion of weapons and combat equipment. The $40 billion will also include more than $8 billion in general economic support for Ukraine, nearly $5 billion in global food aid, and more than $1 billion in support for refugees. Another $3.9 billion is being allocated for US troops in Europe, including the deployment of a Patriot missile battery. The legislation provides $500 million to refill the US critical munitions stockpile and $600 million to fast track missile production and expand domestic critical mineral access. On Monday, May 23, President Biden indicated that he would use military force to defend Taiwan if it were ever attacked by China, dispensing with the “strategic ambiguity” traditionally favored by American presidents and repeating even more unequivocally statements that his staff tried to walk back in the past. At a news conference with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan during a visit to Tokyo, Mr. Biden suggested that he would be willing to go further on behalf of Taiwan than he has in helping Ukraine, where he has provided tens of billions of dollars in arms as well as intelligence assistance to help defeat Russian invaders but refused to send American troops. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS 2022 NORAD and NORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year 64 years ago the United States and Canada stood up North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for the air and missile defense of the North American continent.50 years ago the United States signed the Treaty between... Click here to read more. Fire What?!? “Fire what?!? What are we firing? As you know, we’ve talked about this, I am gravely concerned about the strategic change in the whole scene of battle that hypersonics represent. And I know we’re working on it and we’re talking about it. I want a sense of urgency… I want to know how close we”... 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. Canada As one of our top trade partners and northern neighbor, Canada is a key ally on topics from security to the environment. As of 2012, the Canadian military has not prioritized the construction of an integrated air and missile defense architecture. Rather, Canada has taken the route of... Click here to read more about Canada MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Sergeant Joseph Bruce SGT Bruce is currently assigned as a NASAMS Crewmember on Team 11, 2nd Squad, NASAMS 2nd Platoon, Shooter Battery, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. He has dedicated his civilian and military professional skills to ensure NASAMS Government Service Agency (GSA) fleet was mission capable. During the left seat/right seat process, SGT Bruce noticed the disrepair of the eight vehicles and volunteered to be the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the fleet. He did this knowing it would need to be accomplished during his off duty personal time. While learning the GSA Standard Operating Procedures quickly, he built relationships with six different dealerships, tire shops, and mechanic shops and was the liaison between them and Task Force Veritas leadership. In addition to using his Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (91B) skills to make on the spot corrections, he spent 151 hours within our 220 days on the National Capital Region (NCR) mission, performing various tasks required to keep the fleet mission capable. SGT Bruce's attention to detail, general mechanics knowledge, and passion to take care of assigned equipment has ensured NASAMS readiness for the NCR mission. Team 11 has consistently maintained a high level of NASAMS knowledge, shared their knowledge with their peers, and volunteered for many other duties and tasks throughout the NCR mission. Team 11 was assembled one month before Exercise America’s Shield (EAS), and each Crew Member has a different Military Occupation Specialty. At the beginning of EAS, Team 11 struggled with some of their initial VIP site briefs and NASAMS general knowledge. Team 11 acknowledged this pitfall and concentrated their efforts to be the most knowledgeable and most prepared NASAMS Team. By the end of Culminating Training Exercise (CTE), Team 11 was helping other teams study site briefs and general knowledge and each crew member received challenge coins from VIPs for excellent performance during CTE. SGT Bruce began military service in 2009 when he enlisted into the North Dakota National Guard as a 91B. He is a graduate of North Dakota State College of Science with an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology and recently completed the Army’s Basic Leadership Course. SGT Bruce is married to Brooke Bruce (Smykowski), and they have two children, Logan (11) and Leighton (8). They currently reside in Wyndmere, North Dakota. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 National Capital Region Air and Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. MDAA IN THE NEWS Guam Needs Better Missile Defenses—Urgently The Defense Department of Defense has dithered as China builds ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles to attack Guam, America’s most important military base in the western Pacific. The good news is that the Pentagon is finally requesting... Click here to read the fulls story NEWS MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS USFK chief stresses need for ‘unfettered access’ to THAAD unit in S. Korea - Yonhap News Agency - 5/17/2022 Aerobotix Marks 40th Robot Installation for U.S. Missile Manufacturing as Contractors ‘Tech Up’ to Meet MDA Demand - Business Wire - 5/19/2022 Report to Congress on Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense - USNI News - 5/20/2022 THREAT NEWS Satellite photo shows possible new Chinese nuclear submarine able to launch cruise missiles - Defense News - 5/17/2022 Not “business as usual”: The Chinese military’s visit to Iran - Middle East Institute - 5/17/2022 N. Korea’s latest launches of short-range ballistic missiles were final pre-deployment tests - Daily NK - 5/17/2022 Chinese spy ship spotted off the Australian coast could collect intel on US warships in the region - South China Morning Post - 5/17/2022 In first, Russian military said to fire S-300 missiles at Israeli jets over Syria - Times of Israel - 5/17/2022 US assesses North Korea preparing for possible long range missile test within days as Biden prepares to travel to Asia - CNN - 5/18/2022 Russia claims it’s using new laser weapons against Ukraine - Engagdet - 5/19/2022 Russian Hypersonic Missiles Underperforming in Ukraine Conflict, NORTHCOM Says - USNI News - 5/20/2022 OTHER NEWS U.S. Air Force claims it conducted a hypersonic weapon test - CGTN - 5/17/2022 India to deploy S-400 missile system to defend against Pakistan, China: Pentagon - Deccan Chronicle - 5/18/2022 Belarus Buys S-400, Iskander Missiles From Russia: Lukashenko - The Defense Post - 5/20/2022 Taiwan to install UAV defense systems at 45 military bases nationwide - Focus Taiwan - 5/20/2022 Iron Dome intercepts suspicious aircraft over Gaza — IDF - Times of Israel - 5/20/2022 Gov’t to Sort out THAAD Base Bottlenecks - The Chosunilbo - 5/23/2022 Biden Says U.S. Military Would Defend Taiwan if China Invaded - New York Times - 5/23/2022 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!