The United States has deployed Patriot air and missile defense systems to Iraq, Pentagon officials confirmed on April 2. In an official statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Robinson said the deployment would “protect Iraqi, coalition, and US service members from a variety of air threats seen at Iraqi bases that host coalition troops.” Continually upgraded since...
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 March 19, the United States successfully launched the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. According to a Navy spokesperson, the test “buil[t] on the success” of an earlier flight in October 2017, testing the weapon’s sustained flight capabilities under “additional stresses.” The U.S. Department of Defense...
On March 10, Lockheed Martin flight tested its second prototype missile for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program, an Army contest to replace the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Launched from White Sands Missile Range, NM, the missile successfully reached a range of 180 km. Lockheed is one of two contractors competing for the PrSM...
On March 7, the U.S. Army scrapped plans to purchase two additional batteries of the Israeli-built Iron Dome missile defense system by 2023. In earlier remarks, Army officials cited the system’s untested record against advanced cruise missiles and Israel’s reluctance to share software source code as a central reason for the cancellation. According to Futures...
On February 26, the U.S. Navy successfully tested an SM-2 Block IIIB surface-to-air missile at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The launch marks the first test of an SM-2 missile manufactured after a production line restart in June 2017. Over 280 missiles are expected for delivery to foreign military sales customers in 2020. Related...
On February 16, the U.S. Navy successfully test fired an unarmed Trident II (D5LE) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off the coast of San Diego, California. The test quickly follows an earlier Trident II launch on February 12. According to the Navy, the test “validated performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II” and “gathered additional data...
On February 9, the U.S. Navy seized a shipment of Iranian-produced weapons bound for Yemen. According to a Navy press release, the USS Normandy (CG 60) boarded a dhow in the Arabian Sea, discovering a cache of over 150 antitank guided missiles, three surface-to-air missiles, and a variety of advanced weapons components. The weapons were...
On February 12, the U.S. Navy successfully test fired an unarmed Trident II (D5LE) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off the coast of San Diego, California. Designated DASO-30, the test demonstrated “the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic weapon system and crew before operational deployment” and marked the 177th successful test of the Trident II weapon system....
On February 3, a Greek government official announced that Athens planned to deploy Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia. The plan, which involved the United States, United Kingdom, and France, was reportedly in the works since October 2019. The Patriot missiles will be deployed to protect Saudi oil facilities. “The deployment contributes to energy security, promotes...
