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South Korea Requests 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles

South Korea intends to purchase 48 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIB interceptor missiles from the U.S. for an estimated cost of $111 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already notified Congress of the potential sale. South Korea would deploy the SM-2s aboard its new KDX-III Aegis destroyer, which has already been integrated with the SM-2 Block IIIA and would have no difficulty absorbing the new interceptors. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, South Korea

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

North Korea Must Disclose Missile Test Intentions, Bush Says

President Bush said on Monday, June 26 that North Korea must disclose its intentions concerning its planned Taep’o-dong 2 long-range missile test, as well as what kind of warhead it has on the missile. “The North Koreans should notify the world of their intentions, what they have on top of that vehicle,” the President said. “We don’t know. That’s part of the problem. It’s a non-transparent society that ought to be sharing its intentions with the rest of the world.” The President added that Pyongyang’s behavior has been “provocative,” and that the country has not responded to calls to disclose its intentions. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

U.S. to Ask Czech Republic for Answer on Defenses

The U.S is asking the Czech Republic to decide by the end of September if it is willing to host a missile defense base, reports the Czech daily Dnes. The Pentagon is apparently interested in two former Warsaw Pact bases: Dobris, located 40 km southwest of Prague, and Brno, in the southeast of the country. Both used to house Soviet S-200 Vega surface-to-air missiles, and have not been used since the mid-1990s. The Pentagon plans to deploy ground-based midcourse interceptors at the new site to defend against missile strikes from the Middle East or Southwest Asia. Poland and Hungary are also potential locations for the site. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

Japan to Allow U.S. Deployment of Patriots

Japan and the U.S. have agreed to deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air interceptors at U.S. bases in Japan, reports the AP. The agreement was made earlier this month amid concerns that North Korea would test-launch a Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile. According to Japanese officials, the sites and timing for the deployment have not yet been decided. The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported today, however, that the U.S. will deploy three or four PAC-3 batteries as well as 500-600 troops on the southern island of Okinawa by the end of the year. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Lowry on Missile Defense as “Stabilizing”

Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, argues that missile defense can be a “stabilizing force” rather than a “destabilizing” one, as critics often claim. In the context a possible North Korean long-range missile test, missile defense is itself a kind of deterrence, for it provides the North Korean leadership with good reason not to launch. “If a Kim Jong-il knows that a launch against the U.S. might not even succeed but risks calling down a devastating response, he would be that much less likely to try in the first place,” writes Lowry. “Just as importantly, by rendering his nuclear arsenal less reliable, missile defense limits Kim’s ability to deter and/or coerce the U.S. (from attacking him in the first instance and into giving him aid in the second).” It is ironic, he adds, that those who oppose missile defense, including two top Clinton-administration defense officials, are now advocating a preemptive U.S. strike against the North Korean launch site. Such a strike would be an act of war against a sovereign state. “It is passing strange that liberals should want our only option in the event of a nuclear missile attack from North Korea or another rogue state to be absorbing the blow, then annihilating the offending country,” he writes. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, North Korea

NRO Symposium on Missile Defense and North Korea

A recent symposium on National Review Online presented a range of options for what to do about North Korea.
        Angelo M. Codevilla, professor of international relations at Boston University and a fellow at the Claremont Institute, argues that the U.S. should “get serious about missile defense.” He calls the current U.S. missile defense program “Clinton lite and twice the price,” a reference to the Bush administration’s adoption of Clinton’s favoring of ground-based interceptors and other near-term solutions over more effective space-based assets.
        Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, argues that ballistic missile defense will simply not work, and that “no serious person believes this.” The tests of the ground-based interceptors currently deployed in Alaska and California have not been robust enough or realistic enough to assure that the U.S. can intercept a North Korean missile, if launched. The U.S. should instead destroy the missile on its site. “Our ability to preempt the launch is nearly certain,” he wrote.
        Malcolm Wallop, former senator and founder and chairman of Frontiers of Freedom, argues that the U.S. should deploy Aegis missile defense warships within range of any North Korea launch sites, making it clear that any missiles launched will be destroyed over North Korean territory. The U.S. should also “demonstrably arm” the ground-based interceptor missiles in Alaska. Only as a last resort should the U.S. attack North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities directly (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, North Korea

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

U.S. Increasingly Relies on Space Assets for Warfighting

The Pentagon is increasingly relying on space assets for warfighting, reports the AFP. Sophisticated satellites are used to track down enemies, and keep a round-the-clock watch on unfriendly foes. This technological advantage was most recently demonstrated by the air raid that killed the Al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq, an attack that used the U.S. global positioning satellite (GPS) system. The article also discusses the use of space-based assets in the context of missile defense, which has come into focus amid North Korea’s reported plans to test a long-range ballistic missile. If North Korea proceeds with the launch, MDA satellites would be the first to detect the missile, giving the Pentagon time to deploy interceptor missiles.
        The U.S. currently has the dominant lead in defense satellite technology, as Russia is failing to replace its decommissioned satellites due to chronic underfunding, and China is only starting to realize its space ambitions. Nevertheless, many believe that the current U.S. dominance in space is not guaranteed in the long-term. Lieutenant General Robert Kehler, the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, recently discussed the matter before a Congressional panel. “Our enemies clearly understand the reliance we place in our space capabilities,” Kehler said. “We cannot assume that space will be a sanctuary for U.S. national security assets and must take prudent steps to ensure that we have the capability to protect our space assets.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Space-Based Systems

Blank on Moscow’s Complacency Toward North Korea

Stephen Blank, professor at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, notes that Russia has displayed “amazing insouciance” toward the possible North Korean long-range missile test. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov recently referred to warnings of a possible test as “purely speculative,” while Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Igor Shuvalov, referred to North Korea’s actions as a “psychological test.” Blank documents the Kremlin’s only complaint to date, the fact that nobody has formally notified it of any potential North Korean missile launch. Among Russian experts, the consensus seems to be that Pyongyang’s launch preparations are nothing more than the usual manifestations of political blackmail to secure economic advantages, or perhaps jealousy over the concessions that Iran has been gaining due to its own nuclear program. Blank notes that such conclusions indicate a “widening sphere of discord with Washington” over the issues of North Korea and proliferation and the North Korean. “Under these circumstances,” he writes, “it is reasonable to ask whose psyche needs testing: those who proliferate or those who remain in denial about proliferation’s ultimate consequences for them and everyone else.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, North Korea, Proliferation, Russia

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

Japan and U.S. Expand Missile Defense Pact

The U.S. and Japan have signed an agreement to expand cooperation on a joint ballistic missile defense system. The additional pact comes amid concerns that North Korea might test-launch a Taep’o-dong 2 long-range missile. Signed by U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, the agreement commits the two countries to the joint production of interceptor missiles, and allows for the transfer of ballistic missile defense technology from Japan to the U.S.. The technology transfer issue is a sensitive one in Japan, which has long adhered to a self-imposed ban on arms exports.
        The agreement is said to have actually been reached by both countries last year, and today’s signing is seen by many as a warning to North Korea, whose 1998 test-launch of a Taep’o-dong 1 medium-range missile over northern Japan served as Tokyo’s primary impetus for pursuing missile defense in the first place. Political and military analysts also say that in the long term, the primary U.S. and Japanese motivation for the expansion of a joint ballistic missile defense shield is fear over the potential threat posed by China. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Japan, Policy

» Missile details: Tien Chi, Tien Ma 1

» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense

Aegis SM-3 Interceptor Destroys Separating Target, Japanese Destroyer Performs Surveillance

MDA today conducted a successful test of the Aegis ballistic missile defense system, destroying a separating target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor. The warhead was launched atop a three-stage medium-range ballistic missile, which was detected, tracked, and targeted by Aegis AN/SPY-1 phased-array radars. A SM-3 interceptor was launched from the Aegis cruiser U.S.S. Shiloh off the coast of Hawaii, and scored a direct hit more than 160 km above the Pacific Ocean. The test marked the seventh time (out of eight attempts) that MDA has successfully shot down a target missile with a ship-launched interceptor, and the second time that Aegis has successfully intercepted a separating warhead. Also noteworthy is the fact that the Japanese destroyer Kirishima performed surveillance and tracking roles, marking the first time any U.S. ally has taken part in a U.S. missile defense intercept test. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense

North Korea Reaffirms: No Longer Bound by Testing Moratorium

North Korea has again declared that it will no longer adhere to a 2002 agreement with Japan in which it promised not to test long-range ballistics missiles. The 2002 Pyongyang Declaration was signed by Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s leader, and Junichiro Koizumi, Japan’s prime minister. On Tuesday night, however, Ri Pyong Dok, a North Korean foreign ministry official, told Japanese journalists in Pyongyang that a long-range missile test launch “is not bound by any statement such as the Pyongyang Declaration.” The moves comes as North Korea prepares to launch a Taep’o-dong 2 long-range missile that could reach Japan and parts of the continental U.S. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Japan, North Korea

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

Hwang: Direct Talks with North Korea Would Reward “Manipulation and Brinksmanship”

Balbina Y. Hwang, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, argues that the U.S. must not reward North Korea’s “manipulation and brinksmanship.” By threatening to test-launch its Taep’o-dong 2 long-range missile, Pyongyang is attempting to force Washington to engage in direct bilateral talks. “The United States has been clear that all diplomatic negotiations must go through the Six-Party framework involving North Korea, the United States, South Korea, Russia, Japan, and China,” she writes. “The Bush Administration should make clear that aggressive behavior by the North Koreans will not cause the United States to alter its position.” Rather than succumbing to Pyongyang’s belligerent behavior, Washington should keep the military option on the table, and make it clear to the North Korean leadership that it will shoot down the missile with ground-based interceptors. Hwang adds that if Pyongyang goes ahead with the launch, Washington should bring North Korea’s aggression before the U.N. Security Council. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, North Korea, Policy

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

Gaffney Warns of North Korean EMP Attack, Calls for Increased Missile Defense

Frank Gaffney, president of the Center for Security Policy, warns in National Review Online that the U.S. remains vulnerable to an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) attack from North Korea. If North Korea were to detonate a nuclear warhead high in the atmosphere above the U.S., the resulting burst of immensely powerful energy would devastate nearly every form of electrical system in the nation. In 2004, a blue-ribbon commission tasked by Congress with assessing the EMP threat found that it could have a “catastrophic” effect, possibly reducing the U.S. to a pre-industrial society. The commission noted that an EMP could be delivered with a “relatively unsophisticated missile,” and named North Korea as one of the states that could be seeking such a capability. In his article, Gaffney calls upon the U.S. to “make a redoubled effort to deploy effective, comprehensive defenses against ballistic missiles that might be used for EMP and other attacks.” He urges the Pentagon to augment the modest ground-based systems in Alaska and California, in particular with increased sea-based defenses that could shoot down North Korean missiles at various points in their flight path. (Article, Link) 

» July 22, 2004: EMP Commission Report Points to Need for Missile Defense

» More stories on: Analysis, Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons, North Korea

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

Missile Defense System Declared “Operational”

The U.S. ground-based interceptor missile defense system is now said to be operational, as North Korea prepares to test launch its Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile. The defensive system currently consists of 11 ground-based interceptor missiles, nine deployed at Fort Greely, Alaska, and two at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In addition, two Navy Aegis warships are on patrol near North Korea and would be among the first sensors that could trigger the use of the ground-based interceptors. The ground-based interceptors appear to constitute the only defense against the North Korean missiles, which are capable of striking the continental U.S. If the Aegis ships in the Sea of Japan contain Standard Missile interceptors in addition to their radars and tracking sensors, this has not been publicly announced. It is not clear if the announcement is of permanent operational capability, or if it is rather keeping with previous announcements of limited and intermittent operational capability, on special alert given North Korea’s apparent missile fueling.
        The GMD missile system was switched from test to operational mode within the past two weeks, according to various defense sources. The Washington Times cites a senior Bush administration official as stating that the White House is currently considering how to proceed if and when the Taep’o-dong 2 were to be launched. A decision to shoot down the missile would be made at the highest command levels, which includes the president, secretary of defense, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has stated that a North Korean launch would be a serious matter and “would be taken with utmost seriousness and indeed a provocative act.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment, North Korea, Policy

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Vandenberg Air Force Base

Kennedy Discusses Missile Defense on Good Morning America

Brian T. Kennedy, president of the Claremont Institute, discussed U.S. missile defense policy today on Good Morning America. As North Korea appears to fuel their Taep’o-Dong 2 missile, Kennedy made the case for a robust and layered missile defense shield that would protect the U.S. from a potentially devastating attack. He noted that although the Bush administration is currently deployed a ground-based missile defense system, the current shield is far from complete and will require increased funding. “It’s a question of quality here,” he said. “We believe that the president is very well intentioned when it comes to missile defense. It’s just that we’re just not putting the resources toward it quickly enough.” (Article, Link) 

» Watch Brian T. Kennedy on Good Morning America

» More stories on: North Korea, Policy

McCain on North Korea, Suggests Role for China

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, recently discussed the threat from North Korea in an interview with the Financial Times. In particular, McCain warned of possible regional destabilization between Japan and China if North Korea goes ahead with its test launch of its Taep’o-dong 2 long-range ballistic missile.

We all know what happens if they [North Korea] continue to make this kind of progress and that is the Japanese will acquire missile defence systems and eventually will have to acquire offensive weapons which we know they could readily do given the technology capability they have. The key to all this as we all know is China. It seems to me it is not in China’s interest to see this kind of destabilisation. They’re doing very well and exacerbation of tensions in the region cannot be in their interest. So why they don’t put more pressure on the dear leader is something I simply do not understand. … Depending on what we find out about what North Korea is doing and what its intentions are, we have to ratchet up the importance of the issue in our relationship [with China].

        McCain also reiterated his previous opposition to the 1994 U.S.-North Korea Agreed Framework, in which North Korea was provided with 500,000 tons of heavy fuel oil annually, at no cost, in exchange for suspending its nuclear program. The Framework, supported by the Clinton administration, was and still is viewed by many as blackmail on the part of North Korea, and appeasement on the part of the U.S. According to McCain, the program was “neither verifiable nor enforceable,” and did not do much except “maybe put a billion dollars into the Korean coffers.”  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Japan, North Korea

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

North Korea Said Readying Taep’o-dong 2 for Test Launch

North Korea has completed fueling a Taep’o-dong 2 long-range ballistic missile, greatly increasing the probability that it will go ahead with its first major test launch in eight years. On Sunday, U.S. officials reported that satellite photographs of a launch site on North Korea’s eastern coast suggested that liquid-fuel tanks had been fitted to the missile. Fueling is a late step in the preparations for a liquid-fueled missile launch. U.S. officials and analysts regard the move as a leading indicator of North Korea’s intentions. Reports also indicate that booster rockets have been loaded onto the launch pad.
        North Korea has not conducted a major test launch since August 1998, when it fired a Taep’o-dong 1 missile over Japan. In 1999, North Korea agreed to a moratorium on long-range missile testing, which it has maintained, although in the past year there were indications that North Korea had declared itself no longer bound by that moratorium. Yet five weeks ago, U.S. officials received satellite images indicating that North Korea was preparing to test the three-stage Taep’o-dong 2. The first stage is believed to be a cluster of No-dong missiles, which are single-stage, shorter-range rockets; the second stage is likely a No-dong missile; the third would probably be solid-fueled. U.S. officials believe that North Korea has enough plutonium for at least half a dozen nuclear weapons and has already produced a small but growing nuclear arsenal.
        If North Korea launches the Taep’o-dong 2, with a range possibly sufficient to reach the continental U.S., the consequences could be tremendous. The New York Times comments that the result could be “a political chain reaction in Japan, the United States, and China,” the three nations that have been trying to re-engage North Korea in stalled talks about its nuclear weapons program. The U.S. and Japan might step up financing and efforts for ballistic missile defenses, and Japanese politicians might even push to reconsider their nation’s nuclear weapons policy.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: North Korea, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Tien Ma 1

Poll: Oregon and Washington Voters Strongly Support Missile Defense

Overwhelming support for missile defense exists in Oregon and Washington states, according to recent polling conducted between June 1 and 4 by AmericanPublic.US, an independent public opinion research firm. The results are noteworthy because Oregon and Washington are considered among the most left-leaning in the nation, again proving that missile defense is not a partisan issue among voters.

• 71% of 300 registered voters in Oregon believe that the U.S. should have a missile defense system. By political party affiliation, 86% of Republicans, 58% of Democrats, and 66% of Independents in Oregon support missile defense.
• 72% of 300 registered voters in Washington believe that the U.S. should have a missile defense system. By political party affiliation, 86% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats, and 70% of Independents in Washington support missile defense.
• 61% in Oregon and 64% in Washington believe that missile defense is an important part of the nation’s new focus on homeland security and public safety.
• 59% in Oregon and 63% in Washington indicated that a missile defense system would make them feel safer.
• Only 21% in Oregon and 20% in Washington believe that the amount of tax dollars currently spent of missile defense (2.5% of the defense budget) is too much.

        

        The poll also asked registered voters their opinions on how likely it was that their states would be targeted for a missile attack by a country like North Korea.

• 53% in Washington believe that a missile strike from another country is likely. 50% believe that Washington would be a likely target for a strike from North Korea.
• 49% in Oregon believe that a missile strike from another country is likely. 38% believe that Oregon would be a likely target for a strike from North Korea.

        The poll results also revealed that 48% in Oregon and 41% in Washington mistakenly believe that the U.S. currently has a fully operational missile defense system with the ability to protect the nation’s cities and population from a missile attack. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

U.S. Tests Minuteman-3 from Vandenberg

The U.S. Air Force today successfully test-launched an Minuteman-3 ICBM from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, reports the AP. The missile’s three unarmed reentry vehicles traveled approximately 7,700 km (4,800 miles) in 30 minutes before hitting their pre-determined targets at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands. According to Air Force officials, the launch’s main purpose was to demonstrate the operational effectiveness of the weapon system. The U.S. has about 500 Minuteman-3 missiles deployed in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. The recent Quadrennial Defense Review, however, called for a 10% reduction of the deployed Minuteman ICBMs, to 450. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile details: Minuteman I

» Missile system details for: Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS), Vandenberg Air Force Base

India Tests Prithvi-1 Missile

India successfully test-launched its Prithvi-1 short-range ballistic missile today. According to Indian defense sources, the launch took place at the Chandipur-on-Sea test site in the eastern coastal state of Orissa. First tested in 1988, the Prithvi-1 has a range of 150 km and can carry conventional or low-yield nuclear warheads. It is believed to be designed for battlefield use against troops or armored formations. Two other variants, the Prithvi-2 and the Prithvi-3, have ranges of 250 and 350 km respectively. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Poseidon C-3

Boeing Delivers New SM-3 Warhead

Boeing has delivered the first sea-based Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1A Kinetic Warhead to Raytheon Company, the project’s prime contractor. The warhead was shipped from Anaheim, California, to Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Arizona. The SM-3 is deployed aboard Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers where it defends against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. (Link) 

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Israel Plans New Arrow, Mark 4

Israel plans to develop the Arrow Mark 4 upgrade for its Arrow anti-missile system in the wake of the growing threat from Iran, reports Defense News. According to the report, which cited Israeli defense sources, the Arrow Mark 4 will feature improved interceptor missiles, a new radar unit, and other components that will convert Arrow into an integrated nationwide ballistic missile defense system. The upgrade will be implemented by the Israel Aircraft Industries subsidiary Elta Group, the Israel Air Force, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The U.S. is financing two-thirds of the program, and Israel is financing the rest. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Israel

» Missile system details for: Arrow

U.S. Approves $458 Million Sale of SM-3 Interceptors to Japan

The Pentagon has approved the $458 million sale of nine sea-based Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) missile defense interceptors and associated equipment to Japan, according to an announcement yesterday by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Congress now has 30 days to approve the sale, after which the missiles will be deployed on Japan’s Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers. The SM-3 units, along with Japan’s Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles, will provide an initial ballistic missile defense for mainland Japan. The sale illustrates the seriousness with which Japan treats the need for such defenses. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense

Polish Analyst: Russia May Send S-300 Missiles to Iran via Belarus

Russia may export S-300 air/missile defense interceptors to Iran via Belarus, writes Polish analyst Piotr Koscinski on the Rzeczpospolita newspaper website. Koscinski cites the Russian publication Vzglyad, which published an article in April 2006 suggesting that Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenka himself would be the go-between for the transaction. The move would allow Russia to categorically deny the sale of these weapons to Iran, and maintain its image within the G-8 and on the world stage. According to Jane’s Intelligence Digest, an Iranian military delegation visited Minsk in January 2006, and negotiations surrounding the transfer of S-300 systems took place. According to Aleksandr Rakhimchyk, deputy director of the Moscow-based Institute of Military and Political Analysis, if Iran receives Russian-made S-300 systems, the U.S. would not be able to carry out a military operation against the Islamic Republic “without suffering significant losses.” (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Former Soviet Republics, Iran, Proliferation, Russia

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)

Lavrov Blasts U.S. Conventional Missile, Other Plans

Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly criticized U.S. plans to deploy conventional warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles, warning that they posed a threat to strategic stability. “These plans could have a destabilizing effect, lower the nuclear threshold, have destructive consequences for nuclear nonproliferation regime and undermine strategic stability,” he told Russian lawmakers. Lavrov also said that U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Poland or the Czech Republic pose a threat to Russia. “The reason they give is the protection of eastern European nations from Iranian ballistic missiles. For us, that means in the future a real possibility of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles,” he said. Lavrov added that these structures could be modernized for the covert deployment of ballistic missiles. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

Navy to Field Terminal Phase SM-2 Interceptors on Aegis Ships

The U.S. Navy plans to modify its existing fleet of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IV missiles to defend against enemy ballistic missiles in the terminal phase, the final minute or so before the missiles strikes their targets. On May 24, the Navy conducted the first sea-based intercept of a ballistic missile in the terminal phase, using a modified SM-2 fired from the Aegis cruiser Lake Erie. Based on the success of this test, the Navy plans to modify approximately 100 SM-2 missiles and deploy them on three Aegis BMD-configured cruisers. According to Christopher Taylor, an MDA spokesman, this plan is still being generated and vetted by Naval Sea Systems Command, so detailed costs are not yet available. (Link) 

» More stories on: Sea-Based Systems

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Patriot GEM Test Successful, Two Ballistic Missile Targets Destroyed

Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM) successfully destroyed two ballistic missile targets during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Two GEMs were ripple-fired at an incoming Patriot-as-a-Target, an older Patriot missile modified to represent a short-range ballistic missile target. As the intercept occurred, the Patriot Configuration-3 radar detected, tracked, and engaged a second target. A third GEM intercepted the second Patriot-as-a-Target, thus successfully completing the test’s objectives. According to prime contractor Raytheon, this was the first of four flight tests that will use the newly developed post deployment build-6 (PDB-6) software. PDB-6 was the result of “lessons learned” from Operation Iraqi Freedom when Patriot units destroyed all nine Iraqi missiles launched at the invasion force, but also mistakenly shot down two coalition planes. The PDB-6 upgrade is intended to allow the Patriot system to better discriminate between ballistic missiles, aircraft, cruise missiles, and other battlefield targets. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), White Sands Missile Range

Stephens on Laser Technologies for the Air Force

New laser technologies are being contemplated by the U.S. Air Force, writes Hampton Stephens in Air Force Magazine. These weapons would be able to instantly reach targets 30 to 40 km away, compared to missiles that would take more than 30 seconds to reach targets at the same distance. They would be much more accurate than even the most precise laser guided bombs, as a laser’s circular error probable—the radius of a circle within which 50 percent of all of the target shots would fall—is less than three centimeters. In addition, lasers are not explosive and would allow for more precise targeting. Stephens notes that the Air Force recently completed a directed energy master plan that examines how lasers and other directed energy technologies could be integrated into its existing platforms. Among the possibilities are F-35 Joint Strike Fighters capable of carrying 100-kilowatt solid-state lasers; laser-equipped AC-130 gunships outfitted with tactical lasers for use against ground targets; and relay mirrors mounted on airships or other near-space platforms that would extend the ranges of laser beams, preserve laser beam quality, and allow laser-equipped aircraft to stand off farther from potential targets. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: High Energy Defenses

Ninth GMD Interceptor Installed at Ft. Greely, 11th Interceptor Total

The Missile Defense Agency has installed a ninth ground-based interceptor at Fort Greely, Alaska, according to MDA spokesman Rick Lehner. Combined with the two interceptors deployed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, the U.S. has now deployed a total of 11 interceptors as part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment

» Missile system details for: Fort Greely, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

Belarus Deploying Missiles on Polish Border

Belarus has deployed Russian-made S-300 air/missile defense interceptors in the city of Brzesc near the Polish border, according to a report by Radio Polonia on May 31. Relations between the two countries have been tense ever since authorities in Belarus accused Poland of interfering in its internal affairs by supporting the Belarusian democratic opposition movement. In addition, Poland is a top choice for the Pentagon’s European missile defense site, which has angered Russian authorities. In response, Russia and Belarus signed a joint air defense pact, and Moscow began arranging for the deployment of S-300 units in Belarus, thus extending the effective range of Russia’s western air-defense by at least 150 km (90 miles), and the detection of air targets by 400 km (250 miles). Poland currently has no equivalent air/missile defense interceptors. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment, Former Soviet Republics, Russia

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)

U.S., Japan, Keep Watch on Possible North Korea Missile Moves

The U.S. and Japan have detected signs that North Korea is almost ready to test-launch a Taepo-dong-2 long-range ballistic missile. According to the Japanese Sankei newspaper, the U.S. has dispatched a spy plane and Japan has sent a destroyer with advanced reconnaissance equipment and an attack aircraft loaded with radar-jamming electronics to gather information. The report also quoted a South Korean intelligence official as saying that his agency learned of Pyongyang’s preparations for a missile launch through sources other than satellite photos. Two weeks ago, Japanese media reported that North Korea had moved a “missile-like object” over 30 meters in length to a test site in the North Hamgyong Province. The missile was most likely the Taepo-dong-2, which is 32 meters long and has a range of between 4,300 and 6,000 km. (Article, Link) 

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