On July 19, the U.S. Air Force awarded a $37.7 million contract for continued development of a new wing design for the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). The wing design is expected to increase the cruise missile’s range beyond the current 1,000 km. The B-1B Lancer bomber is the only current airframe...
On July 18, the United States issued new economic sanctions on Iranian entities regarding non-nuclear behavior, including ballistic missile development. The sanctions target 18 groups and individuals accused of supporting Iran’s military, an Iran-based international criminal group, and the country’s ballistic missile program. Iran’s parliament retaliated by earmarking an additional investment in its missile program...
On July 12, the Trump Administration released a statement regarding its objections to specific provisions within the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Of its 27 listed objections, three concern U.S. missile and missile defense programs. First, the administration objects to the provision on development of an intermediate-range ground-launched cruise missile, over concerns that the...
On July 11, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted an intercept test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). The test, designated Flight Test THAAD (FTT)-18, was successful. The test took place in Kodiak, Alaska, and was the first time that the THAAD system intercepted an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) representative target. This was...
On June 26, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) deployed more than 10 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) to South Korea for use by U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters. The JASSM is a conventional, stealthy, air-launched ground attack cruise missile with a standard range of 370 km. There also exists an extended range version which can...
On June 26, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) released its 2017 Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat report. The 40-page assessment finds that technology for ballistic and cruise missiles is advancing in countries around the globe, increasing potential threats to the United States. NASIC released its last report on ballistic and cruise missiles...
On June 15, the Senate passed legislation that would impose new U.S. sanctions that would target Iran‘s ballistic missile program, its support for terrorism, and human rights violations. Senators voted 98-2 in favor of the measure. The Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 would impose sanctions on any foreign person or foreign entity that...
According to a report published on June 8, the news agency received and confirmed a White House document detailing the $110 billion U.S.-Saudi arms proposal made on May 20. The document includes $13.5 billion for seven THAAD batteries, with an estimated delivery time of 2023-2026. The proposal also includes $6.65 billion for enhancements to Saudi’s Patriot...
After a successful Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system intercept on May 30, the Pentagon has reportedly upgraded its assessment of the United States’ ability to defend the United States against ICBMs, according to a June 6 memo. Prior DOD assessments had characterized GMD as providing a “limited” defense capability, but the Pentagon now assesses that it...
On June 7, South Korean president Moon Jae-in suspended further deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea. The move comes after revelations the South Korean Ministry of Defense failed to report to President Moon’s government the deployment of four additional THAAD launchers to the country beyond the two...
