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Polish-US Missile Cooperation

The future of missile defense continues to gain strength internationally. Lockheed Martin and the Polish firm, Telecommunication Industrial Institute (PIT), today signed a letter of intent pledging cooperation in missile defense-related radar technology. The significance of such contracts is that Europe, long reluctant to missile defense because it was more comfortable being protected by the US nuclear arsenal, is coming around to both the need to defend itself and the importance of missile defense in a world of wide proliferation.
        Update: The February 11 edition of Jane’s Defence Weekly noted that this agreement involves lesser, tactical, programs, than a more comprehensive one with Boeing which previously stalled. (Article, Link) 

» Lockheed Martin press release

» More stories on: Allies, Policy, Technology

French Missile Defense?

France may complain of America’s unilateralism, efforts to defend ourselves from ballistic missiles, and of American recklessness as regards the sacred strategic stability—but sometimes France’s actions belie such complaints. Aviation Week & Space Technology reports that France has recently awarded a $156 million contract to Astrium to build a prototype early-warning satellite system, which will be part of a program to deploy a theater missile defense system within 10 years. (Link) 

» NTI: European contracts for missile defense

» More stories on: Allies, Testing - Foreign

Third Test Flight of GMD Missile Booster a Success

Yesterday’s test of a new booster rocket for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system was a success. The test, Integrated Flight Test-13b, began with an Orbital booster rocket lifting off from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, and then traveling to a simulated intercept point some 800 miles downrange and at an approximate altitude of 170 miles. No intercept was attempted, although a target missile and a kill vehicle were simulated. The successful test follows another held on January 9. (More »»») 

» MDA Booster Rocket Program press release, noting “dual-booster strategy” for rocket acquisition

» Orbital press release

» Jan. 9, 2003: Lockheed Booster Test

» Oct. 25, 2003: First missile defense brigade activated, in Colorado

» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Technology, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

New, Fifth-Generation Russian Missile Defense Systems by 2012

The Russian news agency, Voyennykh Novostey, reports that the government owned Almaz missile defense company and others have developed a new concept for a “fifth-generation” air and missile defense system. “This concept will allow a new air defense system and a new theater missile defense to be established by 2012, employing contemporary technologies and equipment. This is the very conclusion participants in the meeting of the expert council on airspace defense, held in Moscow, have arrived at,” Vladimir Aldoshin, the expert council’s secretary, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
         The deputy designer general of Almaz is cited as sayin gthat the draft of the new system was capable of intercepting “fifth-generation missiles,” and furthermore had already been adopted by the Russian Defense Ministry commission.
        By comparison, the Russian Triumf S-400 is considered to be “fourth generation.” (Link) 

» More stories on: Russian Missile Defenses

Clark Blames 9-11 on Bush Overemphasis on Missile Defense; Clark, Dean Equivocate on Judgment of Actual BMD Policies

“One of the reasons we had 9/11 is because this president spent too much time worried about national missile defense and not enough time worried about the greatest threat to this country,” said Democratic presidential hopeful General Wesley Clark to a crowd of supporters just two days before New Hampshire’s primary.
         Asked whether he would continue Bush’s emphasis on missile defense, Clark said he would have to study the issue: “What I’ll do is take an objective look at it and make a decision.” Although Clark seems to say that the Bush administration overemphasizes missile defense, he seemed unwilling to make a statement for or against the actual programs, however: “I don’t know if it will work and I don’t know if it’s worth the money.” (More »»») 

» Dec. 11, 2003: Survey: 2 of 6 Democratic candidates favor missile defense (Dean and Lieberman)

» Democratic Senator John Kerry’s first speech was in opposition to MX missiles

» Guardian: Dean’s inconsistency on missile defense

» More stories on: Policy

India Test Fires Prithvi Missile

India has conducted the 23rd test of its Prithvi (Earth) nuclear-capable missile. The missile was fired from a mobile launcher from the integrated test range Interim Test Range at Chandipur in the Orissa state, located on the eastern coast of India. Indian defense sources said that the test was successful and that the missile hit its target accurately.
        Versions of Prithvi have ranges from 150-350km. Prithvi can reach a target at a distance of 150 km in just 300 seconds, and is said to have a minimum range of 40 km. Prithvi can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a payload weight up to 1000 kg.
        Prithvi was first tested in 1988, and are believed to have entered service in 1994. Some reports suggest that Prithvis are equipped to carry multiple nuclear weapons. The Prithvi-350, or P-3, is believed to be ship-launched. (Article, Link) 

» Villages evacuated for Prithvi test

» Map of India

» More stories on: India, Testing - Foreign

Alaskan Missile Defense Unit the Second to be Activated

An Alaskan missile defense unit, to be based at Fort Greely, is the second to be activated in anticipation for the scheduled deployment of the ground-based system in September or October of this year. A ceremony for the formal activation was held at Fort Greely on Thursday.
        In October, the Colorado National Guard’s 100th Missile Defense Brigade was the first to be activated. It is based at the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center near Colorado Springs. The Alaska unit is similarly manned by Alaska National Guard soldiers.  (More »»») 

» Washington Times: AK MD Unit Activated

» October 25, 2003: Colorado MD Unit First to be Activated

» Army Times: Missile Defense Space Batallion activated

» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Policy

Spring on Missile Defense Opponents

Baker Spring of the Heritage Foundation considers that elites’ opposition to missile defenses is based in neither principle nor response to the popular will, but arrogance. He claims that the policies of, for example, Governor Howard Dean would be a return to Mutually Assured Destruction. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

Myers: “Very Large” Chinese Missile Buildup a Threat to Taiwan

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers did not allow his visit to China to go without rebuking his guest for their “very large” missile buildup within range of Taiwan, and indicated that the United States might assist the island nation defend itself from mainland aggression. An assessment of his condemnation, however, requires one to pay close attention to its timing with recent events. (More »»») 

» Text of Chen’s speech, with revised, more “flexible,” resolution language

» Dec. 3: Nearly 500 Chinese missiles off the coast of Taiwan

» Gen. Bergert: China has made “significant” improvements in ability to strike Taiwan with missiles and by air

» More stories on: Allies, China, Proliferation, Taiwan

Jiang: China Will Prevent Taiwanese Independence—Hints at Force

During the meeting between U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Myers and Chinese Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin, Jiang emphasized that the Taiwan question is the “core and most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations,” and went on to say that China “will never tolerate Taiwan independence.” At the same time, Myers indicated that the U.S. would stand by Taiwan and assist it in its capacity to defend itself. China has in recent years continued to escalate a buildup of short range ballistic missiles of the coast of Taiwan. Taiwan is now scheduled to hold a referendum in March about whether, should China continue its threatening actions, Taiwan should increase its missile defenses. (Article, Link) 

» Heritage: Tkacik: Not Taiwan resolution, but China’s buildup is cause of instability

» More stories on: China, Taiwan

Russia Upgrading Missile for S-300 System

According to a report by the Russian Information Agency cited by the American Foreign Policy Council, Russia plans to upgrade the missile interceptor for its S-300 “theatre” missile defense system. Vladimir Mikhailov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, is cited as saying that Russian specialists are working on an extended range interceptors. Russia’s marketing of the S-300 has included the Mideast, China and India.
        Geostrategy-direct also reports the January 14 story of RIA Novisti, clarifying that the new upgrades would be to better equip the dual-purpose system for missile defense. More importantly, however, Mikhailov is quoted as saying that Russia has accelerated development of the more advanced S-400 missile defense system, offered to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will be “a complete anti-aircraft and missile defense system.”  (Article, Link) 

» Sep. 3, 2003: Russian S-300s to go to Vietnam

» Dec. 2, 2003: Russia’s S-300 and S-400 for Europe?

» Geostrategy Direct on S-300, S-400 upgrade plans

» Sep. 16, 2003: Iran interested in Russian S-400

» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)

Survey: New Hampshire Voters Strongly Favor Pro-Missile Defense Candidates

The days when the Democratic party was the party opposing missile defense may soon be numbered. A survey released by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) found some surprising results in favor of missile defense among voters in New Hampshire. Overall, 75% of NH voters and 66% of likely voters in the Democratic Primary support a missile defense system. Moreover, 64% of likely voters would support the deployment of current partial missile defense system—which the Bush administration has said will take place this year.
        “The Democratic candidates have a chance to clarify their position with New Hampshire voters and clearly articulate their views on funding and deploying a missile defense system,” said Riki Ellison, the MDAA founder and CEO: “Voters in the Democratic Primary know the threat of attack is real, they are confident in our ability to develop and deploy the system we need, and they understand there is a proven technology for an effective, affordable system for missile defense.” “Too many of the Democratic candidates say they support funding for missile defense but oppose deployment,” said Ellison; “The candidates should declare their commitment to protecting US cities by deploying a missile defense system.” (More »»») 

» MDAA website

» More stories on: Policy

Successful Test-Launch of GMD Booster

The MDA today conducted a simple booster verification test launch of the three stage Lockheed Martin booster, Booster Verification Test-5, which is to be used for the Ground-Based Midcourse defense system to be deployed this year in Alaska and California.
        A second booster for the GMD system is being built by the Orbital company, which is owned by Boeing. (Article, Link) 

» Photo of booster launch

» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Technology, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)