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]...
On July 4, South Korea‘s navy flight tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submerged platform. According to unnamed officials, the test was successful. The missile is thought to share design characteristics with the ground-launched Hyunmoo-2B. South Korea began developing the SLBM in 2016 or earlier. Related Links: South Korea’s Mysterious Submarine-Launched Ballistic...
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 July 12, India unsuccessfully test fired an extended-range version of its BrahMos cruise missile. According to defense industry sources, the missile failed shortly after flight, likely due to propulsion system malfunctions. Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile travels at supersonic speeds and has a range of 300 km. The extended-range variant...
On July 4, South Korea‘s navy flight tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submerged platform. According to unnamed officials, the test was successful. The missile is thought to share design characteristics with the ground-launched Hyunmoo-2B; South Korea began developing the SLBM in 2016 or earlier. Related Links: South Korea’s Mysterious Submarine-Launched Ballistic...
On July 7, Russia flight tested its S-500 missile defense system against a “high-speed ballistic target.” According to Russia’s defense ministry, the successful test “confirmed the specified tactical and technical characteristics” of the system, which will succeed the S-400 system for long-range missile defense. The event marks the first public display of the S-500, which...
In mid-June, Russia test fired a Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk spaceport in the country’s northwest. The Kedr is planned to replace the RS-24 Yars ICBM around 2030. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) currently oversees its design and development. Related Links: Russia successfully test-launches latest ICBM — source, TASS
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 28, India successfully flight tested the Agni-P, a new medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) “with a range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.” According to India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-P is a canister-launched system weighing significantly less than the Agni-III. A DRDO official further stated that the Agni-P system featured...
