On June 25, a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor was successfully tested at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. In the test, the PAC-3 detected, tracked, and intercepted a tactical ballistic missile target. The PAC-3 MSE is an upgraded variant of the PAC-3 interceptor with an enhanced performance envelope and first...
On June 19, Lithuania’s armed forces confirmed delivery of a Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense system. Norway and Lithuania had finalized the sale of used NASAMS units in 2016. Co-developed by Norway and the United States, the NASAMS system employs AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to intercept aerial targets at ranges up...
On June 1, defense contractor BAE Systems announced its first successful flight test of a ground-launched variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket. In launches at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the company conducted “several successful shots” of the weapon from a ground-based launcher. APKWS is a laser guidance modification to the...
On May 28, the U.S. State Department approved a potential $800 million sale of Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors to Kuwait. The deal comprises 84 PAC-3 MSE missiles and other related parts, training, and equipment. In addition to the sale of new interceptors, the State Department approved repairs and upgrades to...
On May 16, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) arrived at its new homeport in Rota, Spain, replacing USS Carney (DDG 64) in the Navy’s forward rotation. In a release, the Navy said the destroyer brings “top-of-the line capabilities” to the NATO’s missile defenses, introducing the Aegis Baseline 9/Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 5.1...
On May 7, U.S. officials confirmed plans to remove two Patriot air and missile defense batteries from Saudi Arabia. According to the official, the move would mark an end to the U.S. buildup of forces in response to recent hostilities with Iran. In addition to removing two batteries defending oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the...
On May 8, the U.S. State Department approved a potential $230 million sale of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles – Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) to Hungary. The deal comprises 60 AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER missiles and other related parts, training, and equipment. This follows an August 2019 approval for the sale of 180 AMRAAMs to Hungary. Related Links:...
On April 30, the U.S. Army successfully tested a prototype Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), launching it 85 km at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. According to Army leadership, the launch was “the most challenging” yet, stressing the 500+ km range missile’s ability to maneuver immediately after exiting the launcher. A successor to the Army...
On April 24, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), a new interceptor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System. According to the release, the solicitation period will conclude on July 31, 2020, with additional extensions available given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Pentagon had previously...
On April 13, the U.S. State Department approved a potential $92 million sale of AGM-84L Harpoon air-launched missiles to India. The deal comprises 10 Harpoon missiles and associated parts, training equipment, and other program support. The missiles are planned to equip India’s P-8I aircraft. Related Links: India – AGM-84L Harpoon Air-Launched Block II Missiles, Defense...
