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North Korea Fires Three Anti-Ship Missiles

North Korea again fired a salvo of short range missiles off its coast, with three rockets launched, according to the Yonhap news agency in South Korea.  Little information was given about the type of the missile, but Itar Tass described them as ship-launched anti-ship missiles with a range of 45 km.  Yonhap claimed that they were of a type made in the former Soviet Union.  The South Korean Defense Ministry was also cited as saying that two of the three missiles missed their intended targets.  North Korea last launched several missiles from its western coast in March. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign

First THAAD Unit Activated by U.S. Army

The United States Army today announced the first-ever activation of a fully operational missile defense unit for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor system, or THAAD.  The activation took place at a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas.  The Missile Defense Agency transferred control of the interceptors to the army, and the unit, currently based in Fort Bliss will go into actual service.  According to reports, Alpha Battery/4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command will receive 24 THAAD interceptors, three THAAD launchers, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar as part of the initial fielding.

 

The THAAD interceptor system has recently enjoyed an exceptional test record, with eight successful launches four out of four successful intercept attempts.  The permanent location for the first THAAD unit has yet to be determined, but several alternatives present themselves, including Guam or Israel to defend against North Korean or Iranian missiles, respectively.  The unit may also remain at Fort Bliss, as a mobile unit capable of being deployed anywhere in the event of a crisis. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment

» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Senate Funding for Missile Defense in Europe

The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved increased funding for a U.S. missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.  The newly allotted funds will increase the project budget from $320 million to $712 million, and legislators have also earmarked money for two constructing the two sites.  The Bush Administration had urged this authorization, which is part of the 2009 defense policy bill. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

Pakistan Tests Hatf VIII

On Thursday, Pakistan successfully tested-fired its Ra'ad (Hatf VIII), an aircraft launched, 220-mile-range cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.  The test comes one day after India test-fired a long-range missile also with nuclear capability.  Although Pakistani officials have declined to disclose the launch site, they reported that the missile "has special stealth capabilities," and is a "low altitude, terrain-following missile with high maneuverability."  It can "deliver all types of warheads with great accuracy." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India, Pakistan