On June 3, Russia announced it had successfully tested its hypersonic missile, Zircon. Analysts report that the Zircon missile can fly at 7,400 km/hr, or six-times the speed of sound. Russian news agencies emphasized the missile’s ability to to counter Western missile defense systems, arguing that the Zircon “makes Western defenses obsolete.” Russian sources indicate...
On May 27, the state-owned China Daily reported that China had developed a “new type of ultrafast anti-missile interceptor.” China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), the country’s major developer of air defense systems, was in charge of the project. Although CASIC did not provide specifics on the interceptors’ capabilities, experts said the descriptions indicate its...
On June 1, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $413.8 million contract for the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range). Lockheed Martin will provide 360 missiles, as well as related data, tooling, and test equipment. The contract is expected to be completed by 31 August 31, 2020. The JASSM-ER is a conventional,...
On June 2, India successfully test-fired its Prithvi-II ballistic missile from Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island) off the Odisha coast in East India. “As part of user training exercises, the test was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army with logistics support from DRDO. The missile used for the test was...
On May 30, Russian naval vessels fired four Kalibr (SS-N-30A) cruise missiles from the Mediterranean against ISIS targets near the Syrian city of Palmyra. The strikes reportedly targeted ISIS shelters and equipment depots east of the city. The Russian defense ministry stated that “All targets were destroyed.” The Kalibr is a land attack cruise missile with an...
On May 29, Israel test-fired an undisclosed “experimental” rocket propulsion system. The rocket was launched from a military base in central Israel and its flight was captured in pictures and video on social media. Officials announced that the test was successful. Israel’s Defense Ministry did not provide any comments on the missile type or potential...
On May 28, North Korea test-fired at least one Scud-type, short-range ballistic missile. Photographs released by North Korea confirm the missile to be a KN-18, a single-stage, liquid fueled Scud variant. The missile was launched from near Wonsan Airfield in eastern North Korea, reached an altitude of 120 km, and flew approximately 450 km before landing...
Iran’s Fars News Agency reports that Tehran has constructed a third underground facility for the production of missiles. Fars quoted Amirali Hajizadeh, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ airspace division saying, “Iran’s third underground factory has been built by the Guards in recent years … We will continue to further develop our missile capabilities...
Russia has reportedly sent a contingent of Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) ballistic missiles to Tajikistan for drills. It is the first time Russia has moved Iskanders to that location. Russia has around 7,000 troops permanently stationed in Tajikstan. The Iskander-M is a short-range ballistic missile with a range of around 500 kilometers. Russia has this missile...
On May 23, the modernized Tactical Missile System missile completed its sixth consecutive successful flight test. Otherwise known as TACMS, the weapon system is a series of short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant fueled, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles built by the United States. The updated missile features new guidance electronics and also replaces the Block I and IA submunition...
