Chinese investment in hypersonic weapons highlights the need to reconceptualize the United States’ approach to air and missile defense. This means investing in space-based sensors and the various ways we can disrupt Chinese attack plans, both offensively and defensively.
On December 3, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defense company Hanwha publicly unveiled a model hypersonic cruise missile. The missile, known as the Hycore, is equipped with a two-stage rocket booster. It is scheduled for flight testing in 2022 and enter service in the mid-2020s.
On December 2, Russia’s Defense Ministry posted a video showing the military had deployed Bastion coastal defense missile systems close to the Kuril Islands, territory claimed by both Russia and Japan. Russia deployed the Bastion to the island of Matua, located in the middle of the Kuril Island chain. The deployment follows past coastal defense...
On November 29, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it test fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate launched the Zircon while in the White Sea, successfully striking a target 400 km away. The Zircon has a claimed range of 1,000 km and is planned to equip Russian cruisers, frigates, and submarines.
On November 19, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency chose Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Missiles and Defense to complete an “accelerated concept design” of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI). The GPI is MDA’s primary hypersonic defense program and is designed to intercept hypersonic weapons kinetically in the endoatmospheric glide phase. GPIs will equip U.S....
On November 15, Russia conducted an antisatellite missile test, reportedly using an S-500 Prometey interceptor to intercept a long-defunct Soviet signals intelligence satellite. The intercept created over 1,500 pieces of trackable debris. Russia last tested an antisatellite missile in December 2020, although that test did not involve a kinetic intercept.
In mid-June, Russia test fired a Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk spaceport in the country’s northwest. The Kedr is planned to replace the RS-24 Yars ICBM around 2030. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) currently oversees its design and development. Related Links: Russia successfully test-launches latest ICBM — source, TASS
On June 30, Switzerland selected to purchase the Patriot air defense system for its air defense modernization effort. To satisfy its BODLUV 2020 air defense requirement, Switzerland had previously evaluated the United States’ Patriot and the Eurosam-built SAMP/T surface-to-air systems. The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of up to five Patriot batteries to...
On June 24, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 12 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II antiship missiles and 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to the Philippines. The total cost of the Harpoon and Sidewinder missile sales are estimated to be $120 million and $42.4 million, respectively. Related Links: The Philippines...
On June 18, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration plans to withdraw U.S. missile defenses deployed in the Middle East. The withdrawal includes eight Patriot systems from countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The United States also plans to withdraw a THAAD battery from Saudi Arabia. The United States previously...
