A major supplier of missile tubes for the U.S. Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine has mulled cancelling future production, according to a USNI News report. In a conference call on August 6, BWX Technologies CEO Rex Geveden cited labor shortages as reason for the move, which would pivot BWX’s business to nuclear reactor manufacturing after completing...
On August 5, North Korea test fired two projectiles from Kwail County on the country’s west coast. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles flew 450 km and reached an altitude of 37 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. The JCS further stated that the missiles bore “similar...
Tensions with Iran are once again increasing. The slow implosion of the nuclear accord, Iran’s harassment of cargo ships, and the downing of a U.S. unmanned aircraft have made plain the risk of conflict between Iran and the United States. The dispute should also draw attention to the questionable preparedness of the United States and...
On August 2, North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles from Yonghung, on the country’s east coast. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles flew approximately 220 km and reached an apogee of 25 km. The tests mark the third of its kind in eight days; North Korea launched large-caliber rockets on...
On August 2, the United States withdrew from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a U.S.-Russian pact limiting deployment of land-based missiles capable of ranges from 500 to 5,500 km. Since 2014, Washington has publicly accused Russia of deploying treaty-noncompliant missiles—the 9M729 (SSC-8)— a claim the Kremlin denies. In a statement on Friday, Secretary of...
On July 30, North Korea tested two rockets near Wonsan on the country’s east coast. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the projectiles reached a 30 km altitude and 250 km range. Briefed on the weapon’s performance, North Korean chairman Kim Jong Un reportedly “expressed satisfaction” with the test and warned...
On July 27, the U.S. Navy commissioned USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, at Port Everglades, Florida. The Paul Ignatius is the 67th of its class and one of 21 currently planned for construction. Built in the Flight IIA configuration, the destroyer is equipped with an upgraded radar and Aegis combat system. Related...
On July 25, the U.S. Navy announced a successful test of the Longbow Hellfire surface-to-surface missile from an unnamed Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Conducted at Point Mugu Sea Range, California, the launch marks the first test of the Longbow Hellfire for the Independence-class LCS. The missile was successfully tested with the Freedom-class LCS earlier...
On July 28, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully tested the Arrow 3 missile defense system in Alaska. In a statement, MDA said that the missile struck three targets outside of the atmosphere. The test was the first to demonstrate Arrow 3’s integration with the U.S.-made AN/TPY-2 radar...
On July 25, Boeing announced it would withdraw its bid to produce the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), a system intended to replace the Air Force’s Minuteman III ICBMs. In a statement, Boeing said “the current acquisition approach does not provide a level playing field for fair competition,” leaving Northrop Grumman as the sole bidder for...
