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 10, Iranian frigate Jamaran accidentally struck support ship Konarak with an antiship missile, Iran’s navy said on Monday. During exercises held in the Gulf of Oman, Jamaran fired a Noor (C-802) missile at a training target released by Konarak, which was hit after remaining too close to the testing area. Videos depicting the...
On May 9, Iran‘s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force released footage of a Fajr-4 guided rocket undergoing an apparent drop test from a Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bomber. According to Iranian news reports, the Fajr-4 is a 333mm-diameter artillery rocket with onboard guidance. Related Links: VIDEO: Latest achievements of IRGC Aerospace Force, Mehr News AgencyVideo...
In March, South Korea test fired the Hyunmoo-4, a new ballistic missile with significantly improved range and payload over earlier weapons. According to media reports, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development tested the new missile in Taean on the country’s west coast, with one of the two projectiles “misfiring.” The Hyunmoo-4 reportedly possesses a range...
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 28, South Korea announced that it had completed delivery of the Cheongung (Block I) medium-range surface-to-air missile system to the ROK Air Force. Also known as the KM-SAM, the system reached initial operating capability in 2011 and was first deployed in 2015. The KM-SAM can reportedly range up to 40 km with an...
Taiwan has reportedly flight tested several indigenous missiles and artillery in April 2020. According to Taiwanese media reports, Taiwan’s National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) issued 12 days of live-fire announcements near its test range in Pingtung, launching the Sky Bow 3 surface-to-air missile on multiple occasions and the Yun Feng land-attack cruise...
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...
