On November 16, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and Navy conducted a successful test intercept of the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA against an ICBM-class target. Designated FTM-44 “Stellar Lance,” the event satisfies a Congressional mandate to test the SM-3 IIA against an ICBM by the end of 2020. The MDA released the following news release: ...
On May 16, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) arrived at its new homeport in Rota, Spain, replacing USS Carney (DDG 64) in the Navy’s forward rotation. In a release, the Navy said the destroyer brings “top-of-the line capabilities” to the NATO’s missile defenses, introducing the Aegis Baseline 9/Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 5.1...
On March 19, Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned JS Maya (DDG-179), the first of two Maya-class ships and the seventh Japanese ship equipped with the Aegis combat system. Equipped with the Aegis Baseline J7 system and Cooperative Engagement Capability, the Maya will be capable of engaging ballistic missiles with SM-6 and SM-3 Block...
On February 24, the Missile Defense Agency confirmed it would conduct an ICBM intercept test with the SM-3 Block IIA missile in the third quarter of 2020. Designated FTM-44, the test will represent the first ICBM-class intercept attempt for the SM-3 Block IIA missile. Co-developed by the United States and Japan, the SM-3 Block IIA...
In a November 1 announcement, the U.S. Department of Defense authorized the production of additional Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missiles for sale to Japan. Under the estimated $267 million contract modification, the United States would produce 20 SM-3 Block IIAs for domestic service and 4 for Japan. Production is expected to conclude in December...
In an August 27 news release, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of 73 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptors to Japan. Co-developed by U.S. and Japanese contractors, the Block IIA is an extended-range variant of the SM-3 fitted with a 21-inch booster and upgraded kill vehicle. The deal is estimated to cost...
On July 9, Japan’s Ministry of Defense said it would share information from its planned Aegis Ashore sites with the United States. The Japanese government first announced plans to acquire the system in 2017 and aims to build two Aegis sites in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures. Japan already operates several shipborne Aegis systems and co-develops...
From May 7-19, NATO ships engaged in live-fire air and missile defense drills off the coast of Scotland. Known as Formidable Shield, the exercise integrated ships from the United States, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom to test allied interoperability. Forces included 13 ships, 10 aircraft, and over 3,300...
On May 10, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) launched an SM-3 antiballistic missile in a live fire test at naval exercise Formidable Shield. Integrated with forces from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, U.S. forces tested allied interoperability in these live-fire demonstrations. Related Links: USSRoosevelt fires...
On April 9, the U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of 56 SM-3 Block IB interceptor missiles to Japan. As the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) news release further explains, “Also included are missile canisters, U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistics and...
