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NYT Profiles Fort Greely

The New York Times today profiled the ground-based missile defense base at Fort Greely, Alaska. Located about 160 km southeast of Fairbanks, this sub-arctic outpost operated by the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard “is where progress on the long-embattled missile system is perhaps most evident,” according to military officials. Eleven ground-based interceptors are deployed in underground silos at Fort Greely, with a 12th scheduled for installation later this month. This summer, when North Korea signaled that it planned to fire a Taep’o-dong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile, Fort Greely went on alert. After the test either failed or was aborted, “there was a little bit of a letdown” at the base, said Lieutenant Colonel Edward E. Hildreth III, commander of the 49th, “because we were prepared.” Hildreth said was well aware of criticism that missile defense was far from a perfected program. He said Fort Greely operated in a balance between operational mode and construction. “We build a little, test a little,” he said. “It’s fluid.” (Article, Link) 

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

Sieff on Israel's New Dilemma

Israel desperately needs a short-range anti-rocket defense system, as demonstrated by Hezbollah's bombardment of northern Israel in July-August 2006, writes Martin Sieff in the UPI. Yet Israel has recognized significant development problems with its two possible solutions: Northrop Grumman's Skyguard, a high-energy chemical laser system; and Lockheed Martin's Sky Shield, a conventional rapid-fire cannon. Skyguard, developed in conjunction with the U.S. Army and the Israeli Defense Forces, was expected to be the IDF's first choice. The system is based on technology developed for the highly successful Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL). Yet according to All Headline News, Israel has suspended its participation in the project. "The point of contention appears to an inability to increased Skyguard's range to 6 miles [9.6 km]," AHN reported. "With its current range of only 1.8 miles [2.9 km], deploying Skyguard along Israel's entire northern border would be prohibitively expensive." The second option, Sky Shield, successfully destroyed a replica of Palestinian-made Qassam rocket in a recent lab test, according to the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz. But since the rocket was not in flight, the system has not yet proven itself capable of intercepting incoming Qassams. Much more development may be needed. "It is far too early to write off either system, especially given the relatively meager resources that have so far been allocated to developing either of them," Sieff notes. "But time is not on the Israelis' side, and they may have to choose fast." (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: High Energy Defenses, Israel, Analysis

Pakistan Tests Short-Range Hatf-3

Pakistan today test-fired its nuclear-capable Hatf-3 (Ghaznavi) short-range ballistic missile, reports the BBC. The road-mobile missile was launched from an undisclosed location as part of a training exercise by the Pakistani Army’s Strategic Force Command. It was the third ballistic missile to have been test-fired by Pakistan in three weeks. The Hatf-3, essentially an improved “Scud” type ballistic missile with a range of 290 km (180 miles), would be of use for striking large, fixed targets such as military bases, airfields, and cities. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Hatf 3

U.S. Aborts Aegis Test

An “incorrect system setting” caused the shutdown of two Standard Missile-3 interceptor launches in yesterday’s aborted test of the Aegis sea-based missile defense system. According to Missile Defense Agency spokesman Chris Taylor, a dummy enemy ballistic missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, simulating a missile attack on U.S. territory, while a shorter-range missile was fired from a Navy aircraft and aimed at the Aegis cruiser U.S.S. Lake Erie. After the target missiles were launched, a computer configuration problem occurred aboard the Lake Erie, grounding the first SM-3 interceptor missile. Officials halted the second SM-3 shortly thereafter. Both target missiles dropped harmlessly into the ocean. Out of the nine total tests of the Aegis system, seven have been successful. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Sea-Based Systems, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

U.S. Test Launches Two Trident-2 SLBMs

The U.S. Navy today successfully test-fired two Trident-2 D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles from the Eastern Range in the Atlantic Ocean. The unarmed missiles were launched from the nuclear-powered U.S.S. Maryland (SSBN 738). The routine test, which was designed to confirm the reliability and readiness of U.S. strategic forces, marked the 117th consecutive successful test launch of the Trident-2 since 1989, a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The Trident-2 D5 has a range of 12,000 km, carries 8 to 12 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRVs), and constitutes the mainstay of the U.S. submarine-based nuclear deterrent. It is currently deployed aboard 12 Ohio-class submarines, each of which carries 24 missiles. (Article, Link) 

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» Missile details: Trident D-5

U.S. and Japan Plan New SM-3 Maintenance Base

The U.S. and Japan plan to build a joint base in the Nagasaki Prefecture for the maintenance of Standard Missile-3 interceptors, reports the UPI. According to sources in the Japanese Defense Agency, the facility would be located on a filled-in area off the coast near the U.S. Navy’s Hariojima ammunition depot in Sasebo. The U.S. and Japan would each maintain their own missiles, although the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) would be able to ask the U.S. military for technical assistance if it encountered problems, allowing it to minimize costs. The SM-3, which the U.S. Navy and Japan’s MSDF plan to deploy on Aegis warships, is capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles in space at altitudes of 200 to 300 km. (Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan, Sea-Based Systems

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense

India Completes Development of Trishul SAM

India has completed development of the Trishul surface-to-air missile system, reports the December 13 issue of Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. According to Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony, the Trishul has “met the user requirements during its development flight trials.” Hailed as the country’s “most sophisticated” SAM, the Trishul is about 3 meters in length, 200 centimeters in diameter, flies at supersonic speeds, and is capable of carrying a 15-kg payload. Similar in appearance to the Russian SA-8 “Gecko” short-range SAM, it is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine, and has a range in excess of 9 km. The Trishul was initially designed to intercept sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, but can also engage aircraft and helicopters. The missile was developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in conjunction with the Indian Air Force. (Link) 

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Russia Conducts A-135 Interceptor Test in Kazakhstan

Russia yesterday test-launched an interceptor from its A-135 missile defense system, reports RIA-Novosti. The test took place at the Sary-Shagan Test Range in Kazakhstan. According to Alexei Kuznetsov, a spokesman for the Russian Space Forces, “the launch was conducted to check the missile’s capabilities and prolong its operational life.” It is not immediately clear whether the missile tested was a short-range SH-08 “Gazelle” or the longer-range SH-11 “Gorgon.” Some reports indicate that the interceptor was of the same type as the one tested on November 29, 2004, which was believed to be the “Gazelle.” The A-135 system, located outside Moscow, consists of 68 “Gazelles,” 32 “Gorgons,” and a Pillbox multifunctional phased-array radar. (Article, Link) 

» Press release by Russian Ministry of Defense, for interceptor test

» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses, Testing - Foreign

» Missile system details for: System A-135

India Wants Working Missile Defense in Four Years

India intends to deploy a working missile defense in four years. Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Vijay Kumar Saraswat, head of India’s missile development program, said that India is developing a “newer and faster” version of its Prithvi-2 medium-range ballistic missile. His comments came one week after India conducted its first successful test interception of a ballistic missile, using a Prithvi-2 missile to shoot down another, incoming one. According to Saraswat, the Defense Research and Development Organization plans to add an improved homing device and faster maneuverability to the Prithvi-2, which would allow it to intercept targets at an altitude below 30 kilometers (20 miles). The upgraded version, which will also be able to target aircraft, will be tested within four months, Saraswat said. Six to seven more tests will be needed over the next four years before the system could be deployed. The tests will involve firing five interceptors two seconds apart to guarantee that an incoming missile is destroyed. Saraswat predicted that the system’s success rate would be 99.8 percent. He added that India would be able produce 200 interceptor missiles a year, at a cost of 60 million rupees (US$1.3 million) each. (Article, Link) 

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» Missile details: Prithvi-2

Malaysia Developing Missile Technology

Malaysia is developing missile technology at its Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, according to a report from the New Straits Times. According to Dr. Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Ghazali, vice chancellor of UTM, the “mini missile project” began several months ago and is headed by an associate professor at the university. Zulkifli noted that the government-funded project has already shown “promising results.” “The missiles on solid propellants can fly and hit the targets,” he said. “This is an achievement which we hope to develop further.” He added that the project will soon enter the second stage of development, adding that the university had applied for additional funding. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Proliferation, Technology

Jerusalem Post: Syria and Iran Smuggling Long-Range Missiles to Hezbollah

Syria and Iran have smuggled “truckloads” of long-range missiles into Lebanon over the past four months, reports Yaakov Katz in The Jerusalem Post. During the Lebanon war from July to August 2006, the Israeli Defense Force destroyed most of Hezbollah’s long-range missile arsenal, including the Iranian-made Fajr and Zelzal missiles. But according to Israeli military intelligence, Hezbollah has since received weapon convoys carrying long-range missiles, as well as short-range and anti-tank missiles. Hezbollah has stored these weapons in its extensive system of underground tunnels and bunkers in southern Lebanon, despite the presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces south of the Litani River. According to The Jerusalem Post, Israeli military intelligence believes that “sooner or later” Hezbollah will resume military operations against Israel in the form of rocket and mortar attacks. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Israel, Iran, Syria, Proliferation, Terrorism

» Missile details: Zelzal-1/2/3

Freedman on the Future of British Deterrence

Nuclear deterrence should continue to play a role in Britain’s international affairs, argues Sir Lawrence Freedman, professor of war studies and vice principal (research) at King’s College, London. “What is it about our current strategic environment that suggests that this is the time to abandon the deterrent?” Freedman asks in the Financial Times. “The obvious answer is ‘very little.’” He notes that Russia is in a “bad temper,” North Korea has demonstrated its nuclear capability, and Iran appears on the verge of acquiring its own. Despite the problem of how a full-blown British nuclear capability will deter suicidal sub-state organizations like Al-Qaeda, nuclear weapons continue to “make clear the horrific consequences of full-scale war or even a big miscalculation and so encourage states to resolve disputes without resort to armed force.” Freedman cites the case of India and Pakistan, in which the introduction of nuclear weapons into the conflict introduced a welcome element of caution. He notes, however, that some conflicts “may become so unstable that mutual deterrence will collapse and catastrophe will ensue, which is why proliferation is not to be encouraged.” Freedman, nevertheless, appears to agree with the British government’s position that “however difficult it is to imagine a plausible scenario where it would be necessary to threaten, let alone use, nuclear weapons, the future is horribly uncertain.” Nuclear weapons therefore remain “an essential insurance policy.” (Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Analysis, Nuclear Weapons, Proliferation, Terrorism

Japan Tests New SAM in Texas, with Anti-Cruise Missile Capability

Japan successfully tested a new surface-to-air missile system yesterday in a live training exercise, reports the AP. The system, known as the Chu-SAM, was test fired from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where Japanese forces have been training on their defensive missile systems. It had been tested six times previously at nearby White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, although Thursday’s launch was its first live training exercise. The Chu-SAM, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electronics, has a range of 50 km (31 miles) and is capable of shooting down aircraft, air-to-surface missiles, and cruise missiles. Up to 10 missiles can be fired from a single launcher to destroy multiple threats. The Chu-SAM will replace the HAWK missiles that Japanese defense forces have used since 1965. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Cruise Missile Defenses, Japan, Testing - Foreign

» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense