THIS WEEK IN MISSILE DEFENSE December 7 - December 13, 2019 THE WEEK IN BRIEF Click Here to Watch This Week in Missile Defense Video On Saturday, North Korea conducted a “very important test” at its long-range rocket launch site – Sohae Satellite Launching Ground – in the northwest where it has performed banned satellite launches and missile engine tests in recent years. There is wide speculation that it involved a new engine for either a space launch vehicle or a long-range missile. Also on Saturday, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper discussed issues ranging from the budget and National Defense Strategy to global Defense Department activities at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California. He said, “We continue to add more partners to global efforts to deter aggression, such as the international maritime security construct in the Strait of Hormuz and the more nascent integrated air and missile defense effort to protect critical infrastructure in the Middle East. On Sunday, the South Korean Defense Ministry reported it plans to take over land in the Lotte Skyhill Country Club’s golf course in Seongju County – located some 300 kilometers south of Seoul – to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The U.S. may send THAAD to South Korea in June over China’s objections. On Monday, U.S. lawmakers announced an agreement on a $738-billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defense, including new measures for competing with China and Russia, the creation of President Donald Trump’s long desired Space Force, and family leave for federal workers. It also calls for sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian missile defense system and a tough response to North Korea’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons. On Thursday, the U.S. Army conducted a successful intercept test with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS). The test was executed by the IAMD Project Office and soldiers of the 3-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment. Preliminary findings indicate that the planned test flight objectives were achieved, and targets were successfully intercepted. Click here to read all of the headlines from the week. MDAA ALERTS Prelude to Madness North Korea conducted a solid fuel rocket engine test demonstration on Saturday, which could set a 2020 timeline for a North Korean ICBM test, validating new capabilities for increased reliability to strike the United States of America with a nuclear weapon. North Korean synchronicity with the demand of the United States... Click here to read more. MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES Patriot Missile Defense System The Patriot missile defense system is a ground-based, mobile missile defense interceptor deployed by the United States and many other nations. The Patriot system detects, tracks, and engages UAVs, cruise missiles, and short-range or tactical ballistic missiles. Patriot missile systems have been tested in combat operations in... Learn more about the Patriot Republic of Korea The Republic of Korea has hosted missile defense systems since the United States stationed the 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery in the ROK in 1994 in response to North Korea’s threats to suspend the armistice on the Korean Peninsula. In 2006, the Republic of Korea announced it would create its own... a Learn more about South Korea Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) Developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Army, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) is a command-and-control (C2) capability that integrates air and missile defense systems to eliminate stovepipes and allow warfighters to use any sensor or weapons.. Learn more about IBCS MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK First Lieutenant Thu Pham 1st Lt Pham is a Staff Instructor for the 460th Operations Support Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colorado. She is currently responsible for the planning and execution of Mission Qualification Training for Mission Management Operators of the Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS). As an Instructor, 1st Lt Pham trained over five-hundred hours, consisting of both simulator and classroom academics, ensuring Combat Mission Readiness for over 50 operators. Additionally, Lt Pham has streamlined the Instructor Qualification Course and increased the efficiency of the certification process by over one hundred percent, producing over 25 instructors. 1st Lt Pham developed and executed the SBIRS software upgrade training for over 300 operators to secure an efficient command and control transition for a $369K test event. As a Mission Management Operator, 1st Lt Pham drove over 1.3K hours of satellite sensor tasking and enabled 131 missile warning reports to six Combatant Commands, including surveillance for adversary intercontinental ballistic missile launches and Troops in Contact. 1st Lt Pham demonstrated herself as a visionary officer by pioneering the 460th Space Wing's first-ever Restricted Area Fitness Facility, procuring over $20K in a ten-month long project to increase the quality of life for over 560 personnel. 1st Lt Pham earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Oregon State University and commissioned through Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2016. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Click here to view the winners from the 2019 NORAD & USNORTHCOM Missile Warning and Defender of the Year. NEWS MDAA IN THE NEWS ‘Very weighty test’: The mystery of the North Korean missile launch – 12/12/2019 – Washinton Examiner MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS SMDC welcomes new commanding general – 12/9/2019 – Defense Visual Information Distribution Service U.S. Hits Setback in Bid to Shield Europe Against Iran Missiles – 12/9/2019 - Bloomberg Germany in talks with Lockheed Martin over ‘fragile’ missile defense program – 12/9/2019 – Defense News Russia’s state-of-the-art S-400 missile system is headed to the frigid Arctic – 12/10/2019 – China Global Television Network Israel cancels second missile defense test in a month – 12/10/2019 – Valliant News This is who Congress wants in charge of new hypersonic-tracking sensors – 12/11/2019 – C4ISRNet After errors in Akita plan, Japan may pick new site for U.S.-developed missile defense system – 12/11/2019 – The Japan Times Further Collaboration with the Intelligence Community Would Help MDA Keep Pace with Emerging Threats – 12/12/2019 – Government Accountability Office Congress backs off push for space-based missile intercept layer – 12/12/2019 – Defense News Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense System successfully intercepts test targets – 12/13/2019 – U.S. Army Turkey, Russia ‘very close’ to second missile defense deal – 12/13/2019 - Reuters US May Send THAAD Missile Defense System To S. Korea In June Over China’s Objections – Local Media – 12/13/2019 – Spring Hill Insider THREAT NEWS N. Korea believed to test new rocket engine to provoke US – 12/9/2019 – Houston Chronicle Resumed North Korean ICBM Testing: Possible Technical Objectives – 12/10/2019 – 38 North OTHER NEWS Esper Outlines Global Challenges, Opportunities – 12/9/2019 – U.S. Department of Defense US lawmakers reach deal on massive defense bill, eye Russia, Turkey, China – 12/10/2019 – The Economic Times Turkish-US Fighter Jet Dispute Rekindles Century-Old Animosities – 12/10/2019 – Voice of America Space force funding and largest troop pay increase in decade if Congress passes defense bill – 12/11/2019 – American Military News Barak-8 missile: A strategically vital and lethal weapon – 12/11/2019 – The Economic Times Ankara continues talks for 2nd S-400 fleet, demands tech transfer, joint production – 12/11/2019 – Daily Sabah House passes massive defense bill, authorizing a Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the US – 12/12/2019 - CNBC Congress Stalls INF-Busting Missiles & Nuke Treaty Withdrawal – 12/12/2019 – Breaking Defense RUSSIA CONDEMNS U.S., ALLIES’ EFFORTS TO DOMINATE ‘LAND, AIR, SEA AND SPACE’ RATHER THAN PURSUE TALKS – 12/13/2019 - Newsweek Lockheed Martin’s experts details laser weapon program – 12/13/2019 – Defence Blog Watch the Pentagon test a previously banned ballistic missile – 12/13/2019 – Defense News (LEAD) S. Korea to officially deploy F-35A stealth fighters this month – 12/13/2019 – Yonhap News Agency Stay Connected: ‌ ‌ ‌ 515 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!