On August 11, the U.S. Air Force test-launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in southern California. The test, designated Glory Trip-239, was successful with a test reentry vehicle landing 6,700 km downrange near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. USAF officials said the launch was “not a...
On July 24, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) attempted an intercept test against two short-range ballistic missile targets in waters northwest of Hawaii. During the test, USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 14) fired four SM-6 Dual II interceptors at the incoming ballistic missiles, intercepting one target. In a statement, the MDA noted it “[could not]...
In mid-July, the U.S. Army intercepted two cruise missile targets with the Patriot PAC-3 effector, using targeting information shared by its Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) battle network. During the test, two Army Sentinel radars, two Air Force F-35 fighters, and a Marine Corps G/ATOR radar sent tracking data through the...
On June 30, Switzerland selected to purchase the Patriot air defense system for its air defense modernization effort. To satisfy its BODLUV 2020 air defense requirement, Switzerland had previously evaluated the United States’ Patriot and the Eurosam-built SAMP/T surface-to-air systems. The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of up to five Patriot batteries to...
On June 24, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 12 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II antiship missiles and 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to the Philippines. The total cost of the Harpoon and Sidewinder missile sales are estimated to be $120 million and $42.4 million, respectively. Related Links: The Philippines...
What will it take for Russia and the United States to make progress on arms control? In announcing the Biden administration’s intent to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) for another five years, Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin offered a hint. He noted that the next negotiation must include all of Russian and American nuclear...
On February 23, the U.S. Air Force test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In a press release, the Air Force stated the launch demonstrated the United States’ “ability to provide safe, secure range operations…while maintaining a continuous state of readiness.” The United States previously tested...
On February 16, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of Block 2 Rolling Airframe Missiles to Egypt. The approval, with an estimated sale cost of $197 million, includes 168 missiles, shipping and storage containers, and technical and logistical support. The Rolling Airframe Missile is a tactical missile employed for terminal air and cruise...
On February 9, the U.S. Navy flight tested an unarmed Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters off the Florida coast. According to an official notice to mariners, the missile was scheduled to fly over 8,000 km to a designated area in the South Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. Navy released no official details concerning...
On January 14, Romania’s government approved the purchase of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a subsonic antiship missile codeveloped by the United States and Norway. In a contract estimated at $286 million, Romania will acquire four ground-based launch vehicles and associated command, control, and support equipment by 2024. The NSM has an estimated range of...
