MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS July 12 - July 18 2022 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Wednesday, July 13, Russian defense officials announced that the Sarmat ICBM is being prepared for new tests. Named after the Sarmatian people of ancient times who populated the Eurasian Steppe, the RS-28 Sarmat is Russia's next-gen nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that is equipped with multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRV) and is designed to ensure Russian strategic parity with the United States. President Vladimir Putin announced last month that Russia's nuclear forces would be receiving their first batch of Sarmats by the end of 2022. Russia plans to build a total of 46 of ICBMs. On Thursday, July 14, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced it had completed the first successful demonstration of the Operational Fires program's ground-launched hypersonic missile system capability. This included the inaugural use of a U.S. Marine Corps 10-wheel Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) truck as a medium-range missile launcher, as well as the demonstration of missile canister egress, stable flight capture, and use of U.S. Army inventory artillery fire control systems to initiate the test mission. The announcement comes right on the heels of the U.S. Air Force disclosing a second consecutive successful test of its Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, hypersonic missile booster, which took place on July 12. Also on Thursday, it was officially reported that approximately 100 soldiers from Britain’s 7th Air Defense Group posted at Ustka and Amari air bases participated in NATO’s Ramstein Legacy 22 exercise in Poland. Commander Col. Graham Taylor said that the major air defense exercise was held to improve procedural, technical, and human integration in real-world scenarios among NATO partners. British combat units that participated in the drill included the 12th Regiment Artillery, 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, and the 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery. The 12th and 16th regiments specialize in the Stormer and Sky Sabre missile defense systems, while Yeomanry serves as the British Army’s sole anti-warfare regiment. The commander explained that the drill was planned two years ago and was not intended as a countermeasure to the Russia-Ukraine war. On Friday, July 15, the Iranian Navy announced the introduction of what it's calling its inaugural “drone-carrier” division. A corresponding unveiling ceremony aired on Iranian state TV showing the navy launching drones from various ships and even a submarine. From the broadcasted ceremony, a Kilo-class submarine designated as Tareq, an auxiliary ship named Delvar, and the landing ship Lavan can be seen. While certain specific details about the division were not divulged, Reuters did report that Iranian state TV claimed one unnamed vessel currently carries at least 50 drones. The Iranian state media outlet claims that the division’s primary operations will consist of transporting and operating these various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are said to be made up of combat, surveillance, and kamikaze types. As to the actual type of drones to be employed by the division, reports indicate that UAVs such as Pelican, Homa, Arash, Chamroosh, Jubin, Ababil-4, and Bavar-5 were all utilized during the unveiling ceremony. On Monday, July 18, Israel's Defense Ministry announced that an American prototype air defense system based on Israel’s Iron Dome had successfully completed a set of trials simulating threats the US Marine Corps is expected to face. The system — dubbed Marine Corps’ Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) — combines the Iron Dome’s launcher and Tamir interceptor missiles with a Marines radar and command center. In the first trial, MRIC hit several simultaneously-launched targets, which simulated cruise missiles, from different directions and on different trajectories, the ministry said. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. WEDNESDAY MDAA Virtual Roundtable Discussion Click here to learn more and RSVP MDAA ALERTS The Essential Mission of Europe – Defend It We witnessed the change of command today at Sembach Kaserne, Germany of the most critical mission in Europe – the Missile Defense of Europe by the Allied and US Leadership of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC). This Command is the European... Click here to read more. Defending Europe From Cruise Missiles As the unprovoked Russian invasion prepares to enter its sixth month, Ukraine’s air and missile defense systems, some organic and many donated by several other nations. Ukraine has Stinger and S-300 missile defense systems operating in combat today, and they both have been... 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. National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) Also known as the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is designed for mid-range air defense and can be deployed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs... Click here to read more about Iran. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Captain Tanner Sundet CPT Sundet is currently assigned as an Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer (ADAFCO) as well as the Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon, HQ Battery, 1-188th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. CPT Sundet has been vital to the success of all the Joint Air Defense Operations Center (JADOC) teams during this rotation. He was selected to assume Platoon Leader responsibilities when the original Platoon Leader was pulled for Executive Officer duties. CPT Sundet also planned and is training two other ADAFCOs ensuring the JADOC always has four available. JADOC Team 4 performed without error during the Culminating Training Event (CTE) at Fort Bliss, Texas in June 2021, performing 100% on 96 Target of Interest prosecutions, which is tied for the most prosecutions during the CTE. JADOC Team 4 has not been cited for any errors on any Falcon Virgos, Falcon Gains, Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) or simulations since 1-188th ADA Regiment conducted the battle hand-off on in July 2021 in the National Capital Region (NCR). Team 4 also includes the top Fire Distribution Control Crew from the training conducted during Exercise America’s Shield at Camp Grafton Training Center in May 2021. As the best JADOC team, Team 4 has been selected to support 2-263rd ADA (South Carolina Army National Guard) CTE to train their JADOC teams so they are fully mission capable upon arrival in the NCR. CPT Sundet began his military service in 2004 when he enlisted into the North Dakota Air National Guard as Security Forces. He spent six years enlisted and, after transitioning from Air to Army in 2011, he received his commission upon graduation from North Dakota Officer Candidate School. He is a graduate of the Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course, the ADA Officer Re-classification Course, and Air Defense Captain’s Career Course. CPT Sundet has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from North Dakota State University, and an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology from Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Moorhead. CPT Sundet’s deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009) and Operation Noble Eagle (2017 and 2021/2022). CPT Sundet is married to the former Briana Edwards of Eugene, Oregon. They have one daughter, Evelyn. CPT Sundet works as an IT Help Desk Agent. They currently reside in Fargo, North Dakota. 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 South Korea to create a new command that would control strategic weapons - Defense News - 7/12/2022 At Thule Air Base, Lucky Charms Keep the Lights on for Missile Defense - Air Force Magazine - 7/12/2022 U.S. Missile Defense Is Cruising for a Bruising - Foreign Policy - 7/14/2022 National Guard chief stresses readiness as key element to homeland defense - U.S. Army - 7/18/2022 Pentagon plan for homeland cruise missile defense taking shape - Defense One - 7/18/2022 US Marines successfully test air defense system using Iron Dome launcher, missiles - The Times of Israel - 7/18/2022 Guam needs effective missile defense now, not in 2028 - Breaking Defense - 7/18/2022 THREAT NEWS World’s Largest Missile Being Prepared for New Tests in Russia - Global Times - 7/13/2022 Russian Official Accidentally Reveals Missiles Being Used in Ukraine - Newsweek - 7/14/2022 Iran Unveils Ominous New Naval ‘Drone-Carrier Division’ - The Drive - 7/18/2022 OTHER NEWS Biden wants a Middle East air defense ‘alliance.’ But it’s a long way off. - Politico - 7/13/2022 The U.S. Just Racked Up Two Successful Hypersonic Missile Tests - The Drive - 7/14/2022 British Army Joins NATO Exercise in Poland - The Defense Post - 7/14/2022 House passes FY-23 defense policy bill with big bipartisan vote - Inside Defense - 7/15/2022 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!