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...
The United States‘ Missile Defense Agency is accelerating the development of an interceptor designed to counter several incoming warheads or decoys simultaneously. The most recent Department of Defense budget request seeks $259 million for the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program for technology risk reduction and product development and speeds up its projected completion by five...
Missile threats facing both the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific are increasing in complexity, number, and source. In response, the Trump administration is using missile defenses to boost military capability and signal resolve, as indicated by the deployment of THAAD to South Korea...
On May 23, the modernized Tactical Missile System missile completed its sixth consecutive successful flight test. Otherwise known as TACMS, the weapon system is a series of short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant fueled, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles built by the United States. The updated missile features new guidance electronics and also replaces the Block I and IA submunition...
The U.S. Army FY 2018 budget request has placed added emphasis on the need to expand and modernize its short-range air defenses and long-range precision fires capabilities, saying that this portfolio “contains the Army’s most urgent and pressing capability needs due to challenges not faced in almost 30 years. Given the possibility of conflict with...
