MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS December 22nd, 2022 - January 9th, 2023 THE WEEK IN BRIEF On Wednsday, December 21, according to Collin Meisel, a defense advisory group, in an info page written for Riki Ellison’s ever-vigilant Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), “Given the M-7’s lack of ability to execute ‘precision strike’ missions, and its lack of mention in recent annual reports to Congress by the Office of the Secretary of Defense on ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the [PRC],’ the M-7 does not appear to play a crucial role in the PRC’s ballistic missile arsenal other than the sheer numbers it adds to their estimated 1,200-strong SRBM inventory.” On Friday, December 23, new Japanese and U.S. missiles have the potential to overwhelm China’s powerful and rapidly growing navy in a conflict, according to a U.S. security expert. Although China has grown its navy to more than 350 vessels and continues to build more, the two allies can produce many more missiles to strike at them, retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo, said in an email Thursday. The exercise proved that SM-3 surface-to-air missiles are capable of a long-distance strike from Japan’s Aegis-equipped destroyers, Riki Ellison, founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, said in an email Nov. 28. Japan will also likely employ SM-6 missiles launched from trucks, which the U.S. Army does already, Ellison said in an email Thursday. On Sunday, January 1, the Army decided that it is planning two additional tests of its hypersonic missile before fielding it to the first unit at by late 2023. The Navy is a co-developer of the missile with the Army and the next step will mark the first time the Army and Navy together launch the full missile using the ground support equipment. Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, head of the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, did not disclose the timing of the tests due to security reasons, originally reported by Army Times sister publication Defense News. On Monday, January 2, the report to Congress on December 21 of 2022 on Aegis ballistic missile defense was released. The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. BMD-capable Aegis ships operate in European waters to defend Europe from potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran, and in in the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf to provide regional defense against potential ballistic missile attacks from countries such as North Korea and Iran. The number of BMD-capable Aegis ships has been growing over time. Click here to read all of this week's headlines. MDAA ALERTS World Cup Champions "We congratulate the country of Argentina for winning the tournament, and the country of Qatar for making the World Cup safe for the millions of people, in organizing, hosting, and defending them in a monumental historic World sports event. The best offense is a great defense, and the best Team has a great offense with a great defense. The World Cup and Qatar have proven it...." Click here to read more. Patriot to Patriot "Today the President of the United States made the strategic decision to send the coveted US Army Patriot Air & Missile Defense capability to Ukraine. Strategically, the President is sending a clear resound message to the world and Russian President Putin that the United States is fully committed to the people of Ukraine and their Defense against Russian Long Distance Fires...." 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. Taiwan Incursion Updates Track the number and type of incursions in the Taiwan Strait, the number of missiles fired, aircraft crossing the ADIZ, and daily news highlights. Track updates on the tensions in the Taiwan Strait. MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK Master Sergeant Saundra Collins MSgt Collins is the Section Chief of Defense at the 613th Air Operations Center (AOC) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Hawaii. This Defense Team have significantly contributed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) missile defense mission through their combined knowledge, professionalism, and leadership. During this period, the Defense Team participated in multiple Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and Joint Air and Missile Defense exercises that resulted in increasing the capability and lethality in the USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Defense Team participated in exercises such as Keen Edge, Keen Sword, Combined Combat Post Training, and Night Blue with the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and Air Defense Artillery Fires Control Officer section. Their integration and training increased our joint operational readiness and knowledge of our combined weapon systems. Additionally, the Defense Team participated in multiple real-world operations integrating with allies and partners in the Pacific region. Distance Sea Operations enabled the Defense Team to integrate with their Japan Air Self-Defense Force counterparts to execute the mission to deter peer and near-peer aggression in the AOR. Operation Noble Eagle provided critical roles in PACAF objectives to validate air defense team management of limited resources in a multiple threat environment, timely response & implementation of continuum of operations utilizing theater operationally resilient systems to defend the AOR, and finally providing real-time operational Command and Control for all Dynamic Force Employment in the USINDOPACOM AOR aligned with our National Defense Strategy. MSgt Collins has served in the U.S. Air Force for 18 years. She has been in the Command and Control Battle Management Operations career field as an Instructor Weapons Director (WD). She started off her career at Mountain Home Idaho Air Force Base at the Control and Reporting Center (CRC) as a Surveillance Technician and shortly after that she went to Weapons Director School. MSgt Collings has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has served in Osan Air Base (AB), South Korea and Aviano AB, Italy. Click here to view all the awardees from the 2022 Indo-Pacific Air & Missile Defender of the Year Award Ceremony. NEWS HEADLINES MDAA IN THE NEWS China's Close-Range and Short-Ranges Missiles: A Forgotten Threat? - 19FortyFive - 12/21/2022 Missile plan gives Japan, US clout over Chinese navy, expert says - Stars and Stripes - 12/23/2022 MISSILE DEFENSE NEWS Missile defense on Guam is key component of U.S. defense plans - KUAM News - 12/26/2022 Japan to deploy missile defence unit in Yonaguni, near Taiwan - Jiji - Reuters - 12/27/2022 SPYDER defense system evolves to shoot down ballistic missile threats - Israel News - The Jerusalem Post - 01/04/2023 Colombia buys Israeli-made Barak MX air defense system - Defense News - 01/05/2023 Sea Sparrow RIM-7 Surface-To-Air Missiles Are Headed To Ukraine - The Drive - 01/06/2023 THREAT NEWS China sends 39 warplanes, 3 ships toward Taiwan in 24 hours - ABC News - 12/22/2022 North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles: Seoul - UPI - 12/23/2022 China sends 71 warplanes, 7 ships toward Taiwan in 24 hours - Beaumont Enterprise - 12/25/2022 N. Korea fires 3 missiles amid tensions over drone flights - ABC News - 12/31/2022 Russia fires 20 cruise missiles at Ukraine on New Year's Eve, at least 1 dead, dozens injured - Fox News - 12/31/2022 OTHER NEWS Pacific Defense to Provide USAF With Space Situational Awareness Sensor - The Defense Post - 12/22/2022 Belarus gets another batch of air defense missile systems Tor-M2K from Russia - Belta - 12/23/2022 Vladimir Putin vows to destroy every U.S.-supplied Patriot missile in Ukraine - Washington Times - 12/25/2022 U.S. Building Advanced Over-The-Horizon Radar On Palau - The Drive - 12/30/2022 Japanese Fighters Intercept China's High-Flying WZ-7 Drone For First Time - The Drive - 01/02/2023 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!