On October 10, the U.S. Air Force announced that its Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellite program completed a preliminary design review on September 27. Designed to detect and track missile launches, the first block of Next Generation OPIR includes five satellites, three of which will be stationed in geosynchronous orbit. According to the...
On October 8, South Korean lawmakers questioned Major General Lee Jeong-su, commander of the Army Missile Command, over the status of Hyunmoo-2 launch tests. According to Lee, South Korea conducted one flight test this year and plans to conduct another by the end of 2019. Lee also said the armed forces would “increase the volume...
On October 9, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conducted a public drill of its Patriot missile defense system in Tokyo. The demonstration took place at a public park in Ariake District, Tokyo and marked the first urban JASDF missile defense exercise since 2013. Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike attended the...
On October 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country was aiding China “to create a missile-warning system, a missile-attack warning system.” While China possesses several long-range radars, it has not yet deployed a larger homeland ballistic missile warning system like Russia and the United States. Details of the cooperation arrangement remain unknown. Related...
On October 3, the U.S. Department of State approved the possible sale of 150 Javelin missiles to Ukraine for an estimated cost of $39.2 million. In a news release, the State Department said the sale would include 150 Javelin missiles, 10 Command Launch Units (CLUs), and related training systems, logistical equipment, and support. Ukraine previously...
On October 2, the U.S. Air Force tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In a news release, the USAF stated that the ICBM flew over 6,700 km, landing in waters near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The launch was not scheduled in response to recent...
On October 2, North Korea launched a presumed submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters near Wonsan on the country’s east coast. According to South Korean and Japanese officials, the missile flew 450 km and reached an altitude of 900 km before landing in Japan’s EEZ near Shimane Prefecture. While initially reported as two projectiles, Japan’s...
On September 30, the People’s Republic of China revealed several missiles for its 70th anniversary celebration. According to Chinese state media, new weapons included the DF-41, a road-mobile ICBM, and the DF-17, a short-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle. During the parade, China also displayed the JL-2, a submarine-launched ballistic missile which previously...
On September 30, India flight tested an updated BrahMos cruise missile with an Indian-built propulsion system, airframe, power supply, and other components. The missile flew 290 km from its launch point at Chandipur test site. Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.8 and entered service...
On September 18, French warships Forbin (D620) and Languedoc (D653) conducted a cooperative intercept of an airborne target. Connected by datalink, FS Forbin successfully guided an Aster 30 surface-to-air missile using data shared by Languedoc. According to the French Navy, the test marks the first demonstration of the service’s cooperative engagement architecture. Related Links: French...
