On June 7, the U.S. Navy completed the final land-launched flight test of its surface-to-air Standard Missile-6 Block IA (SM-6 Blk IA) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The third of three required successful land flight tests demonstrated the SM-6 Blk IA’s improved technological capabilities and integration with the Aegis weapon system. At-sea testing is...
On June 15, the Senate passed legislation that would impose new U.S. sanctions that would target Iran‘s ballistic missile program, its support for terrorism, and human rights violations. Senators voted 98-2 in favor of the measure. The Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 would impose sanctions on any foreign person or foreign entity that...
On June 15, Houthi militants fired a cruise missile against a UAE ship off the coast of Yemen, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Coalition forces have not named the ship, and it remains unclear whether it was military or civilian. According to Saudi state news agency SPA, the ship was reportedly undamaged, but one crew...
On June 13, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) posted a business solicitation to the Federal Business Opportunities website for a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a sufficient payload capacity for a high energy laser system designed for boost phase intercept (BPI) of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in the 2023 timeframe. The solicitation...
On June 13, CNN reported that the United States has deployed the M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from Jordan to a U.S.-Coalition training base at Al-Tanf in southern Syria. There are conflicting reports from defense officials about whether the HIMARS deployment is in response to the deployment of pro-regime artillery in the area....
According to a report published on June 8, the news agency received and confirmed a White House document detailing the $110 billion U.S.-Saudi arms proposal made on May 20. The document includes $13.5 billion for seven THAAD batteries, with an estimated delivery time of 2023-2026. The proposal also includes $6.65 billion for enhancements to Saudi’s Patriot...
On June 8, North Korea test-fired four missiles believed to be short-range, antiship cruise missiles. The launch took place from Wonsan, Gangwon Province, on the country’s east coast. According to the South Korean military, the test missiles flew about 200 km before falling in the East Sea. Analysts note that this range is notably longer...
After a successful Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system intercept on May 30, the Pentagon has reportedly upgraded its assessment of the United States’ ability to defend the United States against ICBMs, according to a June 6 memo. Prior DOD assessments had characterized GMD as providing a “limited” defense capability, but the Pentagon now assesses that it...
On June 7, South Korean president Moon Jae-in suspended further deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea. The move comes after revelations the South Korean Ministry of Defense failed to report to President Moon’s government the deployment of four additional THAAD launchers to the country beyond the two...
The United States‘ Missile Defense Agency is accelerating the development of an interceptor designed to counter several incoming warheads or decoys simultaneously. The most recent Department of Defense budget request seeks $259 million for the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program for technology risk reduction and product development and speeds up its projected completion by five...
